Idwal Richards

Idwal David Richards

Born on November 18, 1936, Idwal passed away peacefully due to complications from Parkinson’s disease on February 7, 2021.  His parents Olwen and Norman, his wife Joyce and son Craig predeceased him.  Left to mourn are his daughters Jane Cheesman (Ron) and Morwen, his younger brothers Islywn (Maureen) and Gywn (Pat), and his grandchildren Marlon, Joyce and Cameron.  He also leaves behind his nieces Leigh, Ceri and Catherine, his nephews Alan, Norman, Ian, Steven and Scott and his brother-in-law David Baker.

Anybody who knew Idwal (affectionately known as Id, Iddy or Mabon) knew that he was proud of his Welsh heritage.  The son of a coal miner, he grew up in the village of Cefn Cribwr in South Wales U.K. and returned there regularly throughout his life to visit family and friends, sometimes bringing his friends from Canada along.  He never passed up the opportunity to talk about Cefn.

As a young Architect in 1960, he left Wales with his wife Joyce and young daughter Jane to work for a firm in Winnipeg.  Although he loved the city where he made many friends and welcomed his second daughter Morwen, he and Joyce became homesick and so, in 1963 they returned to Wales.

In 1965 he returned to Canada with his family (now larger with the birth of his son Craig) to work for Minto Developments in Ottawa.  He later joined Murray and Murray Architects and in 1977 joined with Brian Pye to form Pye & Richards Architects where he remained until he retired from the firm in 2005.

Retirement never really suited Idwal, he needed purpose.  Working for Wesley Clover soon gave him that and also allowed him to travel to Wales more frequently.  He remained with Wesley Clover until he “officially” retired in 2017.  Many of his friends attended at the Brookstreet Hotel for his official retirement party.  Yet, he continued to “go to work” in Kanata as often as he could.  If you asked him only a few weeks ago, he would tell you that he was “semi-retired”.

Idwal was a long-time member of the Ottawa Hunt Club.  He made friends easily whether it was on the golf course, over blue-prints, or over a beer just about anywhere.  He valued his family and friendships, was protective of both and would help anyone in need.  This past year he found particularly hard as he struggled with his illness and missed seeing his family and friends.  We will miss him.

When the time is right, he will travel home to Wales one final time, to join his “Sweet Rose” Joyce and his son Craig.  Celebrations of his life will be held in Ottawa and in Wales at a later date to be announced.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind, Parkinson Canada, or to a charity of your choice.

Condolences, tributes and donations may be made at www.tubmanfuneralhomes.com