April 3, 1946 – Sept. 11, 2008
Born in Chilliwack, B.C. Richard was adopted by Gerald and Dora Lester whom he loved passionately. He had a brother, Allan, and sister, Carol and lived in Surrey, B.C.
In 1966 he married Sonja (nee Haggstrom) and had three children: Larry (Erin), Richard (Gabrielle) and Jenny (Mark) and six grandchildren: Jessica, Devan, Daylen, Daelyn, Atlin and Arden.
Richard was a longshoreman for 12 years before moving north with his family to make a new home in the Bulkley Valley, he worked for P.I.R. for 32 years.
Richard was a hard-working man who always took pride in his family. He truly loved to support his children in whatever endeavors or passions that they chose to pursue. He pursued his own hobbies with equal passion and loved to share his interests with his wife and with his family and friends. He gave a helping hand whenever one was needed.
Richard’s life was full of verve, integrity and transparency. Many in the community enjoyed his lovely, melodic mandolin playing and his love of a joke and his wit to tease and be teased.
There is a huge empty spot in the heart of his family and friends but we know that as usual “he took the lead.” Pastor George Richmond said, “look up.” We do Richard because we know that is where you are.
A memorial Celebration of Life was held at the Glenwood Hall in Driftwood on Sept. 18, at 2 p.m. It was preceded by a classic-car tribute procession from the A & W.