November 1, 1927 - September 25, 2023
In loving memory ~
It is with sadness, but great appreciation for a life well lived, that we announce the death of our dear father, grandfather, and great-grandfather Dudley Ritchie. Dad was born in Montreal, Quebec, on All Saints Day, November 1, 1927, and died in Ladner, BC, on September 25, 2023, at the ripe old age of 95.
Dad's career as an Anglican priest was immensely fulfilling for him. As a young lad, he left Quebec and moved alone, out West to work at lumber camps on BC's coast before attending The Anglican School of Theology on the UBC campus. Dad was ordained a priest in 1953 and as the new Rector of St. George's Church in Rossland, BC, he was invited to a Christmas party where he met and fell in love with a very attractive young lady in a white knitted dress whose name was Shirley. Six months later they were married in the same church. Dad and Mom had 61 years of wedded bliss before Mom died in 2015.
Dad's career took him from churches to jail to businesses and back to churches. In his spare time, he made significant contributions to the fabric of church communities, volunteer organizations, an investment club, a woodworking club and his very popular Bible study group which he led until two weeks before his death.
Another life-long priority for Dad was keeping his body and mind fit. Even at 95, he was golfing twice a week, swimming twice a week, going for daily walks, doing his own shopping, cooking and gardening, and reading the Globe and Mail cover to cover.
After Mom died, Dad was blessed with the friendship of Liz Macdonald. He was grateful for all the travel experiences they shared together.
Dad is survived by his eldest daughter, Melanie (Bill); son Mark (Martha); and daughter, Cynthia (Fritz); seven grandchildren William, Elizabeth, Victoria, Christopher, Michael, Stefan and Tristan; and three great-grandchildren Alexandra, James and Emma.
A memorial service for the wonderful life of a remarkable man will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at All Saints Anglican Church, 4755 Arthur Drive, Ladner, BC.
Donations in memory of Dudley can be made to the Delta Hospital Auxiliary Society https://www.deltahospitalauxiliary.org/donations/ and The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund https://pwrdf.org/give-today/