?It is with immense sorrow the Askew Family announces the passing of Richard John Askew.?Richard is survived by his soulmate of 43 years Joannie, his brother Allan (Erin), his sister?Helen, nieces Rachelle (Deneault) Best (Chris), Isabelle Askew, Dhorea Duggan, and Angelica?Duggan, nephews; Ryan Deneault (Alana Abramson), Kurt Deneault (Angela), Henry Askew,?and James Askew, sister in-law Elaine LaGreca, and Mary Lynn Duggan.?
Richard was born in Kamloops, BC, happy and healthy to Mary and David Askew on October?17, 1950. He was a brilliant, multi-talented, kind and generous boy. He touched the hearts of all?those who came into contact with him. At an early age he excelled in sports and was involved in?competitive ballroom dancing and figure skating. He had great success as a championship figure?skater and he gained endurance and tenacity from those demanding figure skating days. His?love of music and musical instruments was evident and he played bass guitar in the very?successful Kamloops band “The Intruders”.?
Richard attended U.B.C. majoring in economics and was invited into the honors program. Later?he joined his father Dave in the hotel business. This led him to his passion; land development?and property acquisition. He received great joy from seeing one of his projects come together?and he owned 8 companies before his 25th birthday.
With Joannie by his side he developed waterfront property in the Shuswap, bought and managed?several hotels and restaurants, worked in the oil industry and eventually went into Real Estate?with Joannie by his side. He worked with Realty World, ReMax, Century 21 and finally Fair?Realty in Castlegar. At Fair Realty he and Joannie worked very hard to make their clients?dreams come true whether it was their first home or their last. He was instrumental in the?development of Woodland Drive Estates where Richard and Joannie made their home.??
He was involved in bringing business in to town and enjoyed watching Castlegar evolve into the?beautiful City it is today. Richard just had a way of making everyone around him feel better.?His humble kind nature and of course his dazzling smile would always greet you. He was an?animal lover and a home body, he loved just being home with Joannie. He was a kind,?supportive and nurturing husband and there was nothing that he wouldn’t do for his Joannie. He?loved his boat and just being out on the water cruising the Arrow or Kootenay Lake.?
Richard was always happy being surrounded by family and friends and enjoyed visits from his?sister Helen and her family and his brother Allan and his family. He also enjoyed quiet times at?home and was a voracious reader who was interested in world news, politics and history. He?was fascinated with World War II and he enjoyed having conversations with his late father-inlaw?Alfred LaGreca about World War 2 as Alfred was a soldier that survived the first wave on?D-Day and had first-hand knowledge of that time. To his nieces and nephews he was a very?patient and understanding uncle who always gave them good advice.??
Through all the years his deep love for his wife Joannie was always present and he was well?known for getting beautiful cards for special days and writing very romantic, some might call?them mushy, but always very thoughtful words to his beloved wife. Trips to places like Las?Vegas, Palm Springs, Hawaii and Florida were always made special by thoughtful gifts. Their?deep love for each other survived a renovation at their home in Robson which was very?challenging, as they did all the renovations themselves, but provided a beautiful home for a?number of years. He was an animal lover and always had kitty cats whom he adored. When they?lived in Robson their home became a magnet for all the wildlife who knew they could be assured?that it was a safe place to visit, find something to eat or have their babies.??
During the past few years Richard had numerous health challenges but always worked very hard?to regain his health. Joannie made sure he had the best care possible and was always researching?and asking questions of his doctors.??
Richard passed away on May 9, 2017. He was predeceased by his father David, mother Mary,?father-in-law Alfred, mother-in-law Isabelle and aunt’s uncles and cousins.??
A very special thank you to the first responders who worked so hard to save Richard, the doctors?and nurses at Castlegar Emergency, all the doctors and nurses who were involved in his care?over the years and everyone who has phoned, left messages, sent flowers or food or have showed?kindnesses in so many ways. Richard would be very pleased if memorial donations were made?to the Castlegar SPCA to help build their new shelter.??
Castlegar Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements.??Please join us to celebrate his life at 11:00am–3:00pm on May 20, 2017 at the Castlegar?Complex, Selkirk room.??
“I realize through it all that…..In the midst of winter, I found there was within me an invincible?summer, and that makes me happy. For it seems that no matter how hard the world pushes?against me, within me is something stronger, something better, pushing right back. –Albert?Camus”??
That’s how he lived his life and he will not be forgotten.?