RICHARD WARREN HARPER

It is with great sadness that the family of Richard Warren Harper announce his unexpected passing on Aug. 8, 2012 at Bear Pass, ON.
Richard started his life in service. He was a Sea Cadet in 1970 and then in the military service for 26 years. He retired a veteran and was a Legion member for the past 12 years.
He was a quiet man who enjoyed fishing and hunting after he moved to Fort Frances. Every year he would spend months contemplating and constructing his Christmas village for the children to come and see. Richard always had a story to tell and a smile for everyone. He had a gift for animals and children.
During his career with the military as a cook he served with multiple postings in all three branches: Air, Land and Sea. His service in Canada included: Shilo, MB., Shelburne, NS., Edmonton AB, Alert, NT, Victoria, BC, and Petawawa, ON.
He also served extensively across the pond in Germany, Turkey, Haiti, Dubai, and Bosnia.
He circumnavigated the globe while on the HMCS Calgary then six months in the Adriatic on peacekeeping duties. Other ship postings were with HMCS Yukon, Annapolis, and Vancouver.
Married to Kerry, Aug. 1980 in Shelburne, NS. He lived from coast to coast in Canada and also six years in Europe with his family. His family travelled to Fort Frances and Sault Ste. Marie often for visits.
Since settling in the Fort in 2001, he was a chef at the Adventure Inn, and a chef for the Fort Frances Jail the last 11 years. He enjoyed cooking for family and friends at the Bear Pass cabin (Rebel Acres); he was always proud to show off what he had helped build.
He also volunteered with the Air Cadets and was an active member of the Fort Frances Sportsmen’s Club.
Richard was born in Sault Ste. Marie, ON on Nov. 25, 1956. He was predeceased by his father, Thompson Harper (Sault Ste. Marie); mother, Connie Holmes nee Brandow (Sault Ste. Marie); step-father, Harry Holmes (Sault Ste. Marie); and granddaughter, Savannah Harper (Wilmot, NS).
He also was predeceased by father-in-law, Bill Adair.
Richard is survived by his loving wife and companion, Kerry Frances (Kiki) nee Adair; and sons, Jeffery T A Harper and spouse, Amanda Bremner of Wilmot, NS, and Timothy W A Harper.
He also is survived by his siblings, Vicki Legg (Winnipeg), Vera and Allan Taylor (Sault Ste. Marie), Dennis Holmes (Lynn Lake, MB), Doug and Wanda Holmes (Lynn Lake, MB), Donna and Andrew Teare, (Windsor, ON), Shaune and Vicki Holmes (Sault Ste. Marie), and all their children and grandchildren, along with aunt Rita Conway and aunt Marlene Harper (both of Sault Ste. Marie), and Bob Brandow (Dryden).
Richard also will survived by the members of the Adair family, including mother-in-law Faith Adair (Fort Frances), Terry Michiel (Calgary, AB), David and Rhonda Happy (Atikokan, ON), Merry Sue Adair-Gill (Winnipeg), George and Valerie Adair (Winnipeg), Jeri and Dave Lefleche (Orillia, ON), Jesse and Barb Adair (Fort Frances), John Adair (Fort McMurray, AB), all their children and grandchildren, and also the extended family of Bosko and Jovanka Stopa and their family.
Uncle Ricki will be missed by all his family especially by his frisbee-throwing companion, Shaelyn.
Funeral services will be held in Sault St. Marie within the next week at Arthur Funeral Home.
A memorial service will be held at Victory Baptist Church in Fort Frances on Friday, Aug. 24, 2012 at 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations made to The University of Ottawa Heart Institute, 40 Rue Ruskin Street Ottawa ON K1Y 4W7