Serge Richer

Serge Richer

June 5, 1945- June 22, 2024, at age 79

Serge passed suddenly on the morning of June 22 at the Swan Valley Health Care Centre after a one-night stay.

Serge was born in Flin Flon, MB. He was the third of four children born to Sara and Serge Richer. He attended Sir Maurice Roche for high school, and enjoyed playing hockey on the Smelter Team, participating in plays, singing, and playing his guitar with friends as well as being part of The Anchormen quartet. He loved jiving at the teen dances and cruising in his 1953 Monarch, probably the most well-kept car in Flin Flon. He was blessed to be surrounded by a loving family with many aunts, uncles, and cherished cousins in the same town. His summer months were spent with his family at Big Island Lake in the log cabin that his father built.

Serge worked for a full year in the mill at HBM&S before he left for university and returned to work underground for the next three summer breaks, both in Flin Flon and Snow Lake. He had many duties including being a ‘powder monkey’ underground.

He attended the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg and received a B.A., Permanent Certification in Education, and B.Ed. His specialty was Geography/Geology balanced with Theatre Production. He was an active participant in the drama group at St. Paul’s College. Serge met the love of his life, Donna Fisher, in one of their classes, and the couple married on July 11, 1970, in Winnipeg, MB surrounded by family and friends in a setting of white daises as a symbol of their eternal love. It is only fitting that Serge’s farewell gift from his Donna are the spray of daisies for his final earthly farewell as well as a Happy 54th Anniversary, July 11, 2024, given with love and gratitude for their many years of togetherness.

Serge and Donna moved to Swan River, MB that same summer to begin their new teaching assignments, and in 1973 and 1975, they welcomed two beautiful children into their lives.

Teaching Geography/ Geology was Serge’s passion with his focus on outdoor education. He planned many field trips for his students with emphasis on Grade 11 and 12 Rocky Mountain field studies with all expenses paid by the students’ fundraising efforts. Serge had a strong work ethic which was passed to his students in ‘earning your own way by hard work’. His skills were noted by many, and in 2011, Serge was recognized, based on nomination and recommendations of former students, by the University of Manitoba with a beautiful glass plaque for Significant Contribution to Excellence in Teaching. The U of M professors always seemed to know which students came from Serge’s care by the great knowledge they had. He also offered Geographic Information System (GIS) as credited Grade 11 and 12 courses with a full computer lab.

Serge’s after school activities were filled with many events: coaching volleyball and basketball; fundraising events; directing ,in collaboration with the music department and many teachers and students, four Broadway musicals; organizing and delivering Christmas food hampers with students and volunteers; running, lifting weights, walking to and from school while loving the feel of icicles on his eyelashes on cold winter days; volunteering after hours as a field hand as well as many more activities. He attended many meetings and was a guest speaker throughout Manitoba., including being a regular for Richard Harbeck’s U of M classes in planning outdoor education. He was in Kingston, ON and Ottawa to write Geography Standards and curriculum K-12, as well as attended U of Calgary, along with his buddy, Jim Russell, to brush up on GIS skills.  Serge always loved playing his guitar and singing at various events, as well as for Donna. Her most requested song for Serge to sing to her was ‘If I Were a Carpenter’. Serge sang the part of Peter in the musical production of The Witness. Being a man of strong faith, he found the strength to perform this challenging task.

Serge was a member of St Columba Roman Catholic Parish, as well as a virtual participator in St. Ann’s Parish, Flin Flon. During the summer months, Serge and Donna stayed at their spot at Paradise Lodge and were able to attend St Ann’s on Sundays. It was during this time, they met and fell in love with Father Paul, and are so honoured that he could be with us for Serge’s farewell to this world we know.

Most importantly, Serge was a family man who loved and cherished his wife and children, and he never failed to do everything he could to provide a loving, safe, and comfortable environment for them, as well as family members and good friends. Summer holidays were for family time, a time for travel in the little pop up, living off the grid many times. Serge, Donna, Serge K and Danielle enjoyed the local lakes, as well as traveling and hiking and canoeing in many lakes across Canada and the US, with time left to stay at Donna’s parents’ cabin on the Lee River, MB (Fisher’s Grove). During the winters, he and his family skated, skied, snowshoed, and weren’t ones to shy from the cold. They were like a tight four-piece puzzle.

After the passing of their two children, they coped with the grief by traveling for six years. Serge drove their newly acquired used motor home with his son’s Kia in tow, while Donna navigated. They wandered aimlessly all the way to Newfoundland and down through the eastern states with no minds for time or hurrying. They arrived home, switched to Danielle’s little Hyundai, put their finger on a North American map, and just went.  Serge drove to various places through Utah and down to southern Arizona where the two of them rented several houses over the winters, packed picnic lunches most mornings, and simply roamed and explored. Friends and family were always welcome to join them if they wished, and many did. Alaska called, so it was back to the motor home with Serge at the wheel, and so it was with many new adventures in the Yukon and Alaska with support from our good friends in Whitehorse. Wherever Serge was with Donna at his side, they existed in nature with deep faith in each other and their God. Their love was always beyond measure. After so many years together, they would sit in their little aluminum boat up at Paradise listening to loon songs and wondering how they had been so blessed to have had such a long loving life as husband and wife.


Serge was predeceased by his mother and father, Sara, and Serge; his two children, Serge Kevin, and Danielle.

Left to mourn his passing are his beloved wife, Donna of 54 years on July 11, 2024; sisters Ellen Herie, Mary Jo Simpson (Ed), brother Dan Richer (Judy), special family member, Shawn Mosiondz, cousins, nieces, and nephews, and many longtime friends.
 

“One brief moment and all will be as it was before

How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!”