Obituary of Richard Farley Fulford

Richard Farley (Dick) Fulford aka Mosion
September 19, 1935—October 13, 2024

Richard always regarded himself as a native of Ottawa as he lived here since he was five, having been schooled at Glashan Public School on Elgin Street and then Lisgar Collegiate.

Richard is predeceased by his Mother Gilberte Schnobb, Stepfather Ben Mosion and his first wife Dolores (nee Paz), and survived by his wife Diane, daughter Valerie Fulford (Dennis Paul), grandsons Tristan Nagler (Aline) and their child Caleb (Richard's great grandson) and grandson Trevor Nagler, stepdaughters Amanda Tait and Emily Tait (Derek Carriere) and their children Braeden and Parker Morris and Mya Carriere.

Richard joined the public service in 1953 as a clerk grade 1. He attended night school at St Patrick's College and Carleton University, obtaining a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1968. Almost all his 39 years in the public service were with the Customs and Excise department where he retired as Senior Assistant Deputy Minister. In 1992 Richard was awarded the Governor General's Outstanding Achievement Award for his role in heading up the team that implemented the Goods and Services Tax (now HST).

Richard was very appreciative of the investments the Federal Government made in his career, in particular, the exchange program with the British Customs and Excise Ministry and his enrollment in the National Defence College.

Upon retirement in 1992, he was contracted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to join a team assisting the Russian government develop their tax administration as they transitioned to a free-market economy. Over the next 20 years he worked with many developing countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Richard often expressed his gratitude for the experiences the IMF provided and opportunity to work with many talented and interesting colleagues.

Richard was all about family, travel and sports (especially his passion for golf and curling). In 1996 Richard and Diane were married in Maui with her young daughters in attendance. They established their home in Kanata where, when not travelling, he was a househusband, preparing meals, witnessing the growth of Amanda and Emily and playing golf with the "Hackers" at the Kanata Golf and Country Club, the source of many friends. In recent years, Novembers were spent with friends on Hilton Head Island and winter breaks with extended family in Maui.

Note from Richard:

It was Diane's initiative that got us involved in sponsoring two Syrian refugee families. Helping them integrate into Canadian society and having them as part of our extended family has been a fulfilling experience.

My first family, now centered upon my daughter Valerie, my two grandsons and great grandson, all have been the source of pride and love throughout my adult years. My second family, with my wife Diane and her two daughters has, in my retirement years, given me love and pleasure of participating in their development and that of their families to the point where their children refer to me as "Granpa Richard".

I am truly grateful to my daughter Valerie and to Diane for their devoted care in the past six months as my health declined. I also want to acknowledge the great support I received over the years from my health team of doctors, particularly Dr. Eugene Vigneron, my family physician, Dr. Neal Rowe, my Urologist and Dr. Christina Canil, my Oncologist. More recently, Dr. Tara Jennings, my palliative doctor took over my home and hospice care (Rudy-Shenkman Hospice) with the support of numerous home and hospice care nurses and personal care workers. That I was able to be cared for at home surrounded by loving family has been a blessing and privilege.

I am truly grateful for the marvelous, full and interesting life I have enjoyed. This I owe to my family, friends and colleagues. Thank you all.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Ottawa Mission.