We celebrate the life of Richard Alan Funnell, born in London, Ontario, who passed at Saanich Peninsula Hospital, Vancouver Island, Canada at the age of 70. Richard fought a courageous battle against metastasized cancer.
He lived a fulfilling life as an electrical engineering graduate from McGill University, Montreal. He was a visionary, general manager, senior business executive and inspiring leader in the high-tech sector. He was a strategic thinker and best known for his innovation skills. He was most passionate about collaborating and building diverse teams and creating and executing successful business strategies for large companies. He redefined what it meant to build teams.
Admired and respected by his staff, peers, and colleagues, his work spanned Ontario, Canada; London, England; Silicon Valley, California; and British Columbia, Canada.
Richard was a dedicated husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend. He is survived by wife, Cynthia Mallen Funnell; three children, Sean Funnell, Scott Funnell and Kim Gault; brother Robert Funnell and sister Joan Woo; and four grandchildren, Ruby, Grace, Joanna, and Jamie; in-laws, Jocelyne Lauziere, Jimi Mallen, Kevin Mallen and Michele Mallen; nieces, Heidi Ridgway, Genevieve Funnell Lauziere, Kiearra Mallen, Kasey Whalley, Katrina Mallen, Kristy Mallen; and nephews, J L Mallen, Bryan Simpson, Shane Simpson and Deller Mallen.
Richard, a Mensa member, was a man of great intelligence, an avid problem solver and educator to many. No challenge was too great for him. He enjoyed boating, cars, biking, music, tools, wood-working, wine and reading. He loved tinkering in the garage for hours on end. He was also a gifted musician and enjoyed playing the trumpet, acoustic guitar, electric guitar and banjo at different times throughout his life.
He was a volunteer officer of the Canadian Power and Sail Squadron Saanich Peninsula Unit for 14 years; in his younger years, he was a Second Lieutenant in the Canadian Officer Training Corps, Royal Canadian Electrical & Mechanical Engineers. He earned many business certifications throughout his career.
He surely loved spending time on the water in his boat and sitting on his ocean-view home deck with his wife and best friend of 30 years, Cynthia. His legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of everyone he interacted with. He will be missed by many.
“If you would like to make a donation to BC Cancer in memory of Richard, your contribution will go toward the Immunotherapy Program. It is the first option on the link page. Thank you.”
https://bccancerfoundation.com/ways-donate/gift-memory
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
26 Responses
Cynthia
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time.
Dianne Comba Petersen
Cynthia,
No matter the words, they cannot express my deep sympathy for your loss. I’m still reeling from the news of Richard’s passing…I think my heart skipped a beat. What a wonderful man and partner! And too soon gone from this world. I will never forget Richard’s warmth, kindness, and Joie de Vivre and I’m so glad to have motored the waters with him. He is remembered fondly… and always will be. I am so sorry, truly.
Dear Cynthia
I was saddened by the news of Richard passing. A great loss for you and your family.
Richard created a legacy that will live forever and you were part of it.
So that will bind you together for always.
Catherine Brown
Cynthia and family,
My deepest condolences on the loss of the wonderfully kind and passionate Richard. Richard gave me my first real chance in my career, and in Victoria, for which I am forever grateful. He was a great mentor; we would always lose track of time talking about McGill, marketing, family, and work. I’ll miss our catch-ups.
My thought are with you.
Dear Cynthia and family,
I am profoundly saddened to hear of Richard’s passing. Cynthia please accept my condolences for your great loss.
Richard was a man of great accomplishments, I came to know him 15 years ago as one of my clients, throughout these years mutual interests such as boating, dogs, real estate and business entrepreneurship were just a few topics of discussion. Richard always took the time to listen and advise with kindness, acute intelligence and the willingness to help me. I will always be grateful, so thankful that our paths crossed. Richard rock on with the best of them!
Sincerely, Catherine & Dominique
Dear Cynthia and Family,
I’m deeply sorry for your loss. I’m shocked and incredibly saddened to hear the news of Richard’s passing. Richard was such a kind and generous man who was highly intelligent and a very deep thinker. No challenge was too great for Richard to conquer and ultimately, solve. He loved his family deeply.
He was such an incredible mentor to me and others at DFH Real Estate. I looked forward to our lively conversations about the inner workings of the business of real estate, and life in general. I always valued his opinion. He was one of a kind and will be missed.
May you take comfort in the sweet memories you hold in your heart.
Stephanie Peat
Dear Cynthia, Our hearts go out to you & your family. We were very saddened to hear about Richard. May beautiful memories always be with you. Love Bonnie & Rudy
Dear Cynthia and family,
Our deepest condolences to you all for your loss and in your time of grief.
Irfane and Naznean Fancey
Dear Cynthia,
Branka and I want to extend our deepest sympathies on the loss of Richard. Branka thought of Richard as one her best work leaders and helped her to set her career path for which she will be always grateful.
Our thoughts are with you and Richard’s family at this time.
Cynthia and Family,
Richard was one of my favourite people. He taught me a lot about marketing, leadership and coffee consumption. I know it doesn’t really mean a whole lot in the midst of your grief but I want to assure you his working legacy is deep and rich. He taught everyone he came into contact with and there are many today making use of the expertise, kindness and perspective he shared with us. And, he always lit up whenever one of you (his family) came up. He is a role model for me and I know he is for others too. My deepest condolences.
-Catherine Olchowy