Richard Gottfried
elevated CmdSY September 7, 1940 – February 10, 2024
elevated CmdSY Funeral Mass – Chapel of St. Joseph (within the Funeral Home)
Friday February 23, 2024 at 10:30am
elevated CmdSY Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, ON, L3T 3Z6
elevated CmdSY To watch the Mass live, Click Here
elevated CmdSY Reception (within the Funeral Home)
Friday February 23, 2024 following the Funeral Mass
elevated CmdSY Entombment – Following Reception (ETA 2pm)
Mount Hope Catholic Cemetery
305 Erskine Avenue, Toronto ON, M4P1Z7
elevated CmdSY Obituary
elevated CmdSY Richard Walter Gottfried
elevated CmdSY It is with overwhelming sadness to announce the passing of Richard Walter Gottfried on February 10, 2024. Richard`s hard working 83 year journey through life reached its end last Saturday while he was visiting his wife and holding her hand at Milton District Hospital. Richard was lovingly devoted to his wife Joan and a faithful brother to Theresa, Charles (Judi), Raymond (Betty-Anne) and Carmen (late Wendy). He was loved by his children Jeff, Kim (Norbert) and Scott (Raheela); adored by his grandchildren Mary, Amber and Clara. Predeceased by his parents Adam and Magdalen Gottfried (née Schnerch), Richard was a dear uncle to many nieces and nephews and will be fondly remembered by his aunts, uncles and cousins.
elevated CmdSY Richard was respectful, kind and an inspiration to many; he could always put people at ease with his sense of humor (or make their eyes roll). He will be remembered by family and friends for his love and generosity and for how much he and Joan cared for each other and their entire family. Both Rich and Joan opened their doors on countless occasions to bring people into their home who were in need of a good, stable place to grow and thrive. Fondest memories were when travelling with his wife, participating in World Wide Marriage Encounter and entertaining friends through “white glove dinners’’. Richard enjoyed a rewarding career as a journeyman electrician spanning more than 50 years and was a valued member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 353; a true testament of his strength of character, professionalism and commitment to fair working conditions.
elevated CmdSY Richard will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
elevated CmdSY In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to World Wide Marriage Encounter (Toronto) at 9273 212A Street, Langley, BC, V1M 1K3 (Attn: Teresa Zamara)
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Deepest sympathies. May God receive him in the peace he shared in his life
Thank you Serge. See you next week.
Richard was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was a loyal friend to all who knew him. When something needed to get done he was always first to volunteer. His jokes either made you laugh or groan, or both. You will be missed Richard.
So very sorry to read this. We have such fond memories of Joan and Rich through our involvement with Worldwide Marriage Encounter. Our thoughts and prayers are with Joan and Family.
Marge and Gerard McCauley
Sincere condolences to Richard’s loved ones and the whole Gottfried Family. I remember ‘Rich’ from our younger days when he was in his late teens, always a very nice person and a great family man.
Eternal rest grant unto Richard Gottfried O Lord and may perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen. Condolence to Joan & his family!
Growing up, Mr. Gottfried was like my 2nd dad and always there to give good advice. Being Kim’s best friend, she and I surely tested his patience (prob one too many times!) getting into mischief! Like the time we put tinfoil in the microwave by accident 🔥 He was a guide to follow and the strength of his family. Thank you for the many years of kindness, your patience in answering the doorbell for the millionth time while I called on Kim to play, and the hours of cleaning the pool so we could swim all day in the backyard. May you live in peace on your next journey.
Thanks , good memories.
We are very sorry to hear of Rich passing so suddenly. We would like to send our deepest symphathy to the entire Gottfried Family. We feel your pain and will keep all of you in our prayers.Love to all,
Our deepest condolences to Joan and family.
We got to know Richard and Joan in our former neighbourhood , Milton.
We are saddened to hear of Richards passing
May he R.I.P.
Deepest sympathy and prayers to Kim and your whole family on Richard’s death. How well I remember Richard’s and Joan’s presence with us on a very memorable pilgrimage to Jordan and Israel back in 2016. They joyful presence and encouragement of our work at Salt and Light Television is unforgotten. May Richard rest in peace and intercede for us in heaven. He was a very prayerful man. I do not forget him. God bless you Kim and your whole family at this sad time.
Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB
May Richard find eternal rest in God’s kingdom. He and the family are in my prayers.
A life well lived within Jesus Divine-Will agape love
conquered death for Richard nee Gods’peace Gottfried.
We celebrate your life with loving prayers for you and your family
Love
Brother Charles & Judi
Thank you for all of your comments. It is so comforting to read them.
Dear Kim, my condolences and prayers to the whole family. God welcome him with open arms.
The peace
Alain and I were so sorry to hear about Richard’s sudden death. He was a good friend, a loyal husband and a committed family man. We have a trove of Marriage Encounter-related memories and stayed true to ‘meeting on New Years’ for decades. Our sympathy goes out to the family.
We extend out heartfelt sympathy to Richard’s family, Joan, Jeff, Scott and Kim and family.
Know that we are joined with you in spirit and prayer on Friday morning as you celebrate his funeral mass and share stories of his life.
Reading Richard’s obituary reminds us of the many times our family was welcomed into Joan and Richard’s home with generosity and love and the good times we shared. We are especially grateful for the “Gottfried family “ support given to Derrick during the time he lived in Toronto. Rest in peace.
Aunt Joan, Kim, Jeff, Scott, Uncles Charles, Raymond, Carmen and Mom Theresa.
Our deepest condolences in the passing of uncle Rich. His love and great sence of humour will be missed by all of us. Sorry we cant be there in person to celebrate Uncle Rich’s life with you. Our prayers are that God will comfort you all at this time.
As a young lad growing up I cherished the times with my uncles and the time they spent with us. Uncle Rich helped me to become a life long leafs fan at the age of 2 when they bought me skates a Maple Leafs jersey and stood me on the ice for a picture, which I have to this day. Or as young guy he took me to my first leafs game at the old Maple Leaf Gardens. Maybe the Leafs will win the Stanley Cup soon in honour of uncle Rich. Uncle Rich and Aunt Joan were such welcoming, warm, FUNtastic hosts at family events. Uncle Richard Gottfried was a true family man who showed the Love of Jesus to others by his acts of kindness, devotion and good sense of humour.
Cheers! to Uncle Rich
I will always remember Uncle Rich’s laugh and the love and respect between he and Aunt Joan. I had the pleasure of seeing them twice out here in Vancouver as an adult, and they spoke proudly of Jeff, Kim and Scott and the path each was on. I am sorry I cannot be there to pay my respects in person. I send my love and virtual hugs to Jeff, Kim and Scott, their partners, to Clara and Mary Bianca, and to Uncle Rich’s brothers, sisters and other nieces and nephews.
Condolences to the Gottfried family from the Laroche family (Marcel, Deanna, Pierre, Marc, Steven, Yves and Guy).
Personally I am very grateful to Rich and Joan for opening their home to me (an Ottawa boy) while I was a student at Seneca College in the mid 90’s. Our parents shared many memories together. He will be missed.
So sorry to hear of Rich’s sudden passing. My deepest sympathies to Joan, Jeff, Kim and Scott. Rich was a good man. He was a good friend of my parents, Don and Estelle. Had many laughs with him, particularly on an excursion to South Bend Indiana for a football game. I also remember bumping into Rich at Mac’s Milk on my way home from church and somehow got talked into coaching a T-Ball all-star team. He will be missed, but I will always had fond memories.
Rest in peace Rich.
To Joan and family, please accept our condolences on the passing of Richard. My dad Joe enjoyed the many conversations he and Rich had over the years.