Richard “Ric” Lowerison

LOWERISON, Richard “Ric”….

It is with immense sadness and grief that we announce the sudden death of Richard Roy Lowerison “Ric” on the evening of October 25, 2020 at the age of 63. He died at home shortly after 6:00pm, in the company of his family. We are comforted to know that when he died, while seated in his favourite chair, he did so instantly, without any awareness of the event, and without any pain.

Ric’s sudden and unexpected death has been a terrible shock for the family, and we are profoundly overwhelmed by his loss. The day started off as a regular Sunday with gardening and taking care of small tasks around the house. He was very excitedly planning a Halloween dinner for the family and scavenger hunt for his granddaughters and was very much looking forward to their visit on the coming weekend.

Ric was born in New Brunswick to Leland Lowerison and Barbara (Richards) Lowerison. He was their only child and spent portions of his childhood in Sackville, NB and Seeley’s Bay, ON. He attended Mount Allison University in Sackville, NB graduating with a B.Sc. in Chemistry. It was at Mount Allison where he met his wife and best friend, Gretchen (Wentzell). They raised three children together and celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary last year. When his first child was very young, Ric advanced his studies in chemistry and engineering at Concordia University in Montreal in order to launch his career in aerospace. He started in the area of materials and process engineering at Canadair (now Bombardier Aerospace) in Montreal. His career in composites and materials and process engineering took him to Bristol Aerospace (division of Magellan Aerospace) in Winnipeg MB, Bell Helicopter in Mirabel QC, Diamond Aircraft Industries in London ON, and finally Bombardier Aerospace in both Queretaro MX and in Toronto ON. Ric semi-retired from Bombardier in June of this year and was in the process of venturing with his depth and variety of aerospace expertise as an independent consultant. Aerospace was not only a career but also a passion.

Ric’s semi-retirement gave him an increased opportunity to engage in his favourite hobbies including reading, cooking, gardening, exploring small towns, researching various interests, listening to music, planning family get-togethers, and spending time with his grandchildren. He very much enjoyed quiet days that included leisurely reading, planning and cooking hearty and adventurous meals for his family, and good conversation. He appreciated all literary genres, but especially enjoyed science fiction and history. Quiet evenings were typically spent watching absurdist/satirical cartoons, documentaries, or British television, and engaging in contemplative philosophical discussions with his family. During the day, Ric could be found tending the garden, pruning trees and bushes, and enjoying the outdoors, especially with walks in the woods.

Ric Lowerison was exceptionally kind, gentle, brilliant, loyal and wonderfully curious. His strength of character and authenticity were exemplary. He was affectionate and wise, hard-working, impossibly generous, and extremely amusing to be around. He appreciated the simple things in life and was highly evolved socially, emotionally, and in his views of the world. He accepted people exactly as they were and prioritized family over all else. He could talk to anyone and make them feel at ease. He was an expert listener and could hold space for people, with his full presence, for hours. The well of his compassion and insight was bottomless. He lived a rich and fulfilling life, and we are heartbroken because he had so much optimism for future plans and so much more to contribute to this world.

Ric will be sorely missed by his wife, Gretchen, his children Carin (Matthew White), Michael, and Matthew (Elizabeth Song), his mother Barbara, and his three grandchildren, Berkeley, Heidrun, and Clementine as well as by all of his extended family and numerous friends. He was predeceased by his father in 2000.

Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Ric’s Life will be held with family and friends at a later date. Remembrances may be made in the form desired by friends. Donations in memory of Ric may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, PO Box 640, STN K, Toronto, ON M4P 9Z9, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, PO Box 460 STN K, Toronto, ON M4P 9Z9 or the charity of your choice.

Ric was well-loved by all who knew him. We were all incredibly blessed to have had him in the world and in our lives. Special thanks to the wonderful EMS team from Middlesex-London Paramedic Services, officers from the City of London Police Services, who were first to arrive, and the Coroner who assisted on Sunday. Their compassion and level of care was incredible. We felt very well cared for and it helped make a very difficult situation a little bit easier.

Arrangements entrusted with Cremation London & Middlesex, 519-858-2467. Online condolences shared at www.cremationlondon.com