Alexander Malcolm (Alex, Alec, Al) Ritchie

RITCHIE, Alexander Malcolm (Alex, Alec, Al)

12 October 1931 (Vancouver, BC) – 5 May 2021 (Victoria, BC)

“Shake the hand that shook the world!”

Our much loved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle left us after a hard fought battle against dementia and a sudden stroke. Alex leaves Laura, his wife of 64 years; son Bill (Joanna); daughter Theresa; grandchildren Kyla (Jordan) and Cole (and their mother, Geri); and Connor and Garrett (and their father, Russ); great granddaughters Rowan and Maryn; brother Norm along with numerous nieces and nephews and  extended family near and far.

We all have our own special memories of Dad, but somehow his sense of humour often comes up in conversation. His ‘Can-Do’ attitude will always be an inspiration to us.

Dad served 28 years in the Canadian Armed Forces: a varied career including the Seaforth Highlanders, Black Watch; PPCLI, and eventually RCEME as a Weapons Technician, attaining the rank of Warrant Officer and retiring in 1981. The forces took him and the family to Germany several times and across Canada before finally bringing him home to BC in 1979. He went on to work as a civilian at TEME in HMCS Dockyard for 14 years: a job he loved. There he drove various vehicles doing everything from the mail run, to interprovincial road trips, to driving dignitaries.

The thing he loved most though, was being a father and grandfather. Spending time with his grandkids brought him the most pure joy. We will always remember his kind, calm and caring ways… and his sense of humour, of course.

There will be a brief service and interment at the Veteran’s Cemetery on Colville Rd in the near future; and the family will celebrate him as circumstances allow. If you wish to honour his memory, a donation to the Alzheimer Society of BC or the BC Cancer Foundation would be appreciated.

Rest easy now Dad. We love you.

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