We Remember
RICHARDSON, John Angus “Gus”
—
Having enjoyed a great life, Gus Richardson shuffled off this mortal coil on October 31, 2025, at the age of 83.
He is survived by his beloved Mavis, his wife of 32 years, his children, Keitha (Justin), Elvin-Jensen Brendan Richardson (Ingyoung), and Danielle Talson (Curtis); as well as his loving grandchildren, Marin, Bjørn, Austyn, and Carson.
Born and raised in Montreal, QC, Gus spent most of his youth in Greenfield Park -on the South Shore of Montreal. Gus moved west in the late 1960s and spent the rest of his life in B.C. – moving between Kamloops, Kelowna, and White Rock.
Gus spent his career in public service working for both the provincial and federal governments in the equally challenging and rewarding areas of parole, corrections, mental health ,and addiction. Gus was a staunch believer in redemption and second chances and his decisions were guided by his desire to make a positive difference in people’s lives and in society as a whole.
Gus was never one to shy away from difficult conversations. He talked about everything, so we can say with absolute certainty that he wouldn’t want his friends and family to mourn him; he’d much rather be celebrated for his large and generous sense of humour, his love of life and all of its touching and amusing contradictions, and his resolute dedication to being a glass-half-full kind of guy.
Gus was loving, kind, and funny; a man who never missed a chance to tell a joke or draw out a laugh. He had a gift for friendship, collecting people as easily as he collected stories. His taste in music was as eclectic and as varied as his interests, that included golf, crossword puzzles, trivia competitions, and questionable puns. He was seldom without CBC Radio playing in the background.
He and his wife, Mavis, travelled extensively, but cruising was definitely his favourite, followed by solitary road-trips back east that normally included a number of stops to see ball games. Gus would want it to be clear that his first love was the Montreal Expos, and after finally making peace with their departure, he embraced the Toronto Blue Jays with equal enthusiasm and loyalty.
He will be looking down on all of us forever with a big mischievous grin, ready to emit in his giant, gentle Zeus-like bass, something simultaneously wise, shocking, absurd, compassionate, mildly appalling, and deeply human and original. Gus will be remembered most for his wit and intelligence; what we cherished most, however, was his astonishing gentleness and sensitivity. Beneath the jokey, gruff exterior lay a sweetness and guilelessness that filled our hearts.
We will miss his voice – so wonderful to listen to, whether he was speaking or singing.
Thank you, Dr Bryce and the staff at KGH for the remarkable care he received.
We will be hosting a Celebration of Life in Kelowna in either the spring or the summer, and we would love for you to come and share stories of this unique man, whom we all loved so much. Arrangements will also be made for online attendance.
Over the years, he supported several organizations and charities aligned with his professional interests. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the John Howard Society of the Okanagan, or Uniti (formerly Semiahmoo House Society).
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
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John Howard Society of the Okanagan or Uniti (formerly Semiahmoo House Society) Link: www.johnhowardbc.ca/okanagan-kootenay/, www.uniti4all.com/donate
Condolences
Cousin Angus, I will miss chatting with you on the phone like we did every so often & your deep baritone voice. When we last spoke a little more than a few months ago you said something that had me in stitches during our conversation that i will not repeat here lol! Thanks for always being a gracious host, Mavis too during my visits to BC.
Your Cousin,
Shawn
That booming voice reading trivia questions in our trivia games has been silenced. But the memories will live on. Rest in peace sir!
Our sincere sympathies, we have fondest memories,, of our visit/vacation to Panama.
My sincere condolences Mavis and to all of Gus’s family. He was a voice for humanity and it is sad that it is
now silent. RIP Gus take the fight to the next level.
I did not know Gus that well until we shared our books and through some emails we discovered that we both were drop outs, then finished our high school at Sir George William night school. I really enjoyed his neat way of writing, and I only wished that we lived closer to have shared more.
I appreciated Gus & learned so much from him right from when we first met in Kelowna in 1979. We shared a few memorable golf trips fraught with many belly laughs.
He had a particular slant on life that added meaning to our many experiences. He also brought joy & kindness through his gentle nature.
A great man.
I will miss working with Gus on the Mental Health Review Board hearings, he was my favorite panel member to work with. A larger than life character who will be missed by so many good people
Mavis & Famly,
Our thoughts & prayers are with you at this time,remembering Angus this way,brings smiles to our face,always telling a joke intephto below,this was he reunion year around 2016.We’ll meet again .
Our deepest sympathies
Jim & Millie
My deepest sympathies to the entire Richardson Family. Gus, always being mentor to many of us younger kids here in the Park will always be remembered. Having grown up with his sister Judy & him it was certainly a pleasure to have been blessed with that honour. RIP Gus & may you enjoy your heavenly voyage. God Bless.