Richard Buell Wilburn

Richard was born in Halifax, the eldest of six children to Jacquelyn and Eddie Wilburn.  The family moved to Toronto when he was 5 years old but eventually they settled in Burlington, Ontario.  In 1966, the family moved to Vancouver driving across the country in a 9 passenger station wagon.  Richard often regaled new friends with the story of seeing the Rocky Mountains for the first time during that trip and being in awe of their majestic beauty.

Settling in West Vancouver, Richard completed Grade 13 and was accepted to Queens in Kingston, Ontario.  Missing the West Coast, however, he completed his English Degree at UBC.  It was at UBC that Richard met Tricia whom he married and she remained his wife for 49 years.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Richard and Tricia moved to Edmonton where Richard articled with Deloittes.  Once Richard received his C.A., he and Tricia moved back to the Lower Mainland settling in Richmond where they raised their family.  During that time, Richard worked for a number of agencies including Revenue Canada, B.C. Rail, B.C.A.A. and eventually working for London Drugs for 25 years in the position of Director of Internal Audit.

Upon retirement, Richard and Tricia sold their home of 33 years in Richmond and moved to Comox on Vancouver Island.  Enjoying retirement life on the Island, Richard was an enthusiastic volunteer, including being involved in the Winter Special Olympics as well as giving his time to Dawn to Dawn, the organization with a mission to end homelessness.  Richard also volunteered and took courses at Elder College. However, Richard was not only generous with his time but also with donations.  Richard received recognition for donating blood to the Red Cross 35 times plus donating money for world disasters.

Richard had many hobbies including reading, hiking, camping, sailing, swimming, biking, photography, cross country skiing and golf.  He loved to travel particularly cruising in the Caribbean as well as winter vacations to Mesa, Arizona and Palm Desert.

In the last few years as his disease took more from him, he started bowling through the Peer Support Counselling group.  He was very sociable and loved to be around people and having a job to do.  Richard maintained a great sense of humour and was quick with a funny response and loved to make friends and young children laugh.  He died in the loving arms of his wife on September 24th, 2020.

The family is grateful for the compassionate care received from Dr. Langhans and the staff at Comox Valley Seniors Village as well as the care staff at the Adult Day Program at Cumberland Lodge and Glacierview.

Left to mourn is his wife, Tricia, his children Greg (Ria), his granddaughters Ally and Poppy of Surrey and his daughter Julie (Denis) Erdely of Halifax, his siblings Ray (Helle) Wilburn, Kathy (Wayne) Dickinson, Rod (Liza) Wilburn, David (Sonia) Wilburn and Maria Wilburn.  His sister-in-law Charlene (Mike) Wellings, brothers-in-laws Dr. Douglas Conn (Dr. Kerstin Conn) and Dr. Robert Conn and three nieces and three nephews and our dog, Tessa.

A Celebration of his Life will be announced at a later date.

Condolences can be sent to:

Patricia Wilburn

642 Olympic Drive

Comox, B.C.   V9M 4G8

In lieu of flowers the family would encourage donations to The Alzheimers Society of BC @ alzheimer.ca/en/bc

The Red Cross @https://www.redcross.ca/in-your-community/british-columbia-and-yukon