Michael passed away peacefully at home in Ottawa on June 13, 2023, at 88 years of age with loved ones by his side.
He was predeceased by his parents Jean-Thomas Richard and Margaret Richard (Maloney), his sisters Mary-Ann, Suzanne, Maria and Adele, his sister-in-law Lise and his nephew Jean-Pierre. He is survived by his brothers John (Lilly), Pierre and Tom. Michael will be greatly missed by his son, Michael Conway (Michelle), his grandsons Nicholas and William and his longtime partner and companion Karen Whiteside. He will also be sadly missed by his nephew Marc Richard (Trish Brady), his nieces Natalie Abounehme (Eddy), Christine Demers, Anique Simpson (Adam) and all their children.
Michael grew up in Sandy Hill and spent much of his youth at the Boys Club (now the Boys and Girls Club) at Mink Lake and under the guidance and friendship of Fred McCann, learned many life skills, camaraderie and love of nature. He also enjoyed his time in the Navy Reserves sailing up the western coastline.
He was a graduate of the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Medicine Class of 1960. Following a rotating internship and two years of general surgery residency, he went to the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, where he would complete his neurological training under the legendary Dr. Robert Knighton. In 1967, he returned to Ottawa to practise neurosurgery and joined the faculty at the University of Ottawa. In 1977, Dr. Richard was appointed head of neurosurgery at the Ottawa General Hospital, a position he held for 23 years. He was chair of the University Division of Neurosurgery from 1987–1997, and in 2003 was appointed Clinical Investigator – Neurosciences at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.
The Dr. Michael T. Richard Neurosurgery Endowment Fund was established jointly by Dr. Richard and the University of Ottawa in 2008. The intent of the fund is to provide financial support to neurosurgery residents who have a proven record of medical research, preferably in the neurosciences, and who wish to pursue their research further.
Michael devoted his life to the practice of medicine. During his career, he was a most successful, bilingual and influential neurosurgeon always available to his residents, and teaching skills and theory in the operating room. To his residents, he was more than a teacher of neurosurgery. He instilled in them a strong sense of the responsibilities of the neurosurgeon as a complete physician and as a neuroscientist. As a surgeon, he saved legions of patients or gave them a better life.
He was a man of many interests and talents. He played university football for the Gee Gees, he was an equestrian jumper, skied avidly, played tennis and golfed. He was a pilot, an amateur mechanic and rode a Harley Davidson. He was a farmer, on the family farm or the farm he owned in Metcalfe, who loved animals and especially his dogs. He enjoyed fishing in Northern Ontario. He knew how to throw a party. Along the way, he formed and maintained countless friendships that lasted his lifetime. He was a doer and a problem solver to friends in need. Historically he may be remembered as a skilled and dedicated neurosurgeon, but for so many, he will also be remembered as a kind, generous and loyal friend and neighbour.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa or a charity of your choice for children would be appreciated.