WILLIS, Richard Willis - 72 of Whitby, Ontario peacefully passed away after battling pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer on May 30th, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born to parents Bill (Walter) and Helen on February 19th, 1951, in Trieste, Italy.
As a young boy he eventually moved to England with his family where he lived most of his life.
There he met and married Jean the love of his life in 1975 who survives him today.
Richard is also survived by sons Christopher (Taya), Craig (Christine) and grandchildren Dylan and Sloane. Richard is also survived by his brother Peter (Christine), Jean’s sisters (Sally (Nick), Theresa (Geoff), Lorna (Steve), Bernadette (Bob) and her brother Simon). As well as her mother Pam and a host of nephews and nieces, friends, neighbours and colleagues.
The family wishes to thank all those who offered help and went the extra mile to make this difficult journey smoother: Margaret and Derek Harper, John and Domenica Cioffi, Ben and Shelley Durda, Ginny and Dougie Moore and Janet McEvoy as well as the families in the UK and Ireland.
To celebrate the life of Richard, family and friends are invited to attend a visitation and funeral service at Mount Lawn Funeral Home (21 Garrard Rd. Whitby, ON). Visitation hours are Thursday, June 8th, 2023, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The funeral service will be held Friday, June 9th at 11 a.m. Followed by a burial service at St. John’s Anglican Cemetery, Edgerton Road, Blackstock, Ontario. Patrons are encouraged to wear blue and white clothing in honour of Richard’s love for hockey and the Leafs.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society.
Jean and family would also like to thank home health care, palliative team, Paramed, personal support workers and the many excellent doctors and nurses involved with Richard’s care during his journey.
May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.
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