A Celebration of Ritchie's Life will be held on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at 10 a.m. in the Sacred Space at Beechwood Cemetery, in Ottawa. However, due to government-imposed restrictions related to COVID-19, attendance at the funeral service will be limited to a certain number of individuals. Should you wish to attend the service in person, you need to register in advance by texting Ritchie’s son Kyle, at 613-697-5313.
You are also welcome to attend the service through a livestream broadcast. Click on the above tab to register.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ritchie Smendziuk, who died suddenly December 21, 2020 at the Ottawa Hospital in the company of his son Kyle and good friend Bonnie.
Ritchie will be lovingly remembered most by the mother of his 3 children, Lynn, 3 sons, Justin, Craig & Kyle, sisters Darlene & Alice, brother Elwyn & good friend Bonnie.
Passing away at only the age of 63, Ritchie lost his battle with colon cancer just some 3 years after initially being diagnosed.
Growing up in the small town of Winnipegosis, Manitoba, he was one of six children. Upon graduating high school, Ritchie was thrilled to be accepted to Royal Military College where he graduated with a degree in electrical engineering, all the while making some of his best lifelong friends.
He was a navigator for many years and later retired from the forces after ~20 years as a Lieutenant Colonel. He then went on to work as a project manager and consultant on many different space projects.
Ritchie was officially retired less than a year at his time of passing. He loved to travel, spend time at the lake, and it seems like just yesterday that he was out waterskiing with a big smile on his face.
Many thanks to all the doctors and nurses that helped Ritchie over the last several years.
A burial ceremony will take place at a later date in the National Military Cemetery.
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Digital Guestbook
Joe Fabischek
Lori Thomas
Our prayers are with you
David Mowat
I really only knew Ritchie from our last two years at RMC, as our paths never crossed again until last year at our 40th Reunion. Funny what you remember - it was always that ever present smile. I honestly do not believe I ever saw him angry, and sure enough 40 years later, and notwithstanding the cancer, he was still smiling from ear to ear - that will always be in my memories. RIP Ritchie.
Guy and Anne Marie Simard
What a beautiful virtual celebration for Ritchie today. Similarly, the eulogy by Kyle. Too bad for COVID as I expect the hall would have been packed.
Ritchie will always hold a special place in the heart of Anne Marie and I. As with most of his military college friends, Ritchie (Smedley) and I first met in 1975 at Royal Roads Military College, Victoria, where we were both in the same Squadron. We transferred together to Royal Military College, Kingston, in 1977, again to the same Squadron. It was while we were at RMC that Anne Marie first met Ritchie during an RMC/Queen’s hayride on Wolfe Island in early fall 1977. She accompanied him to the RMC ball later that fall. I, with my date, was the chauffeur [I borrowed my dad’s car :-)]. Having picked up my date, Ritchie and I then proceeded to Victoria Hall to pick up Anne Marie. To this day, I remember the big blues and shining smile when she got in the car My date was not feeling well that evening and I had to take her home early, but I assured Ritchie I would be back to pick him up and take Anne Marie home. As we all know Ritchie would have done the same!!! :-) As my closest college mates well know, I remained mesmerized by this Anne Marie that I had met. Imagine my joy when Ritchie came back after the Christmas holiday engaged to his long-time sweetheart Lynn. It goes without saying, I had to ask for Anne Marie’s phone number. Ritchie, being the true gentleman he was, passed it to me, with that smile and grin that we all know so well. As they say, the rest is history. I was part of Ritchie and Lynn’s wedding celebration, MC for their wedding dinner. Anne Marie and I eventually married and raised our own family of three boys and one girl. When our nomadic military life finally brought us to Ottawa, Lynn and Anne Marie had the chance to enjoy some good times together. We also appreciated spending time at the lake with them as well as visits together. Rest in peace my friend knowing that you lived your life to the fullest, albeit it being cut too terribly short. All of us who knew you are better people for it. A good 45+ year friendship it was.
Guy & Anne Marie
Fran semchyshyn
My condolences
Mark Zbitnew
From a fellow Roadent, rest in peace Ritchie. My condolences to all family and friends.
Sarah and Ken Polson
Sending our deepest sympathy
Francois Carignan
My heartfelt condolences to Ritchie’s family. I am shocked to hear of Ritchie's passing. We met in the 1980s as we were both young Air Force officers navigating in the Maritime Air environment and eventually worked together at 407 Sqn in Comox.
Ritchie was a true gentleman who treated all with fairness. RIP Ritchie
Ed and Jackie Vos
We experienced Rook Term together in Hudson Flight at Roads, countless Electrical Engineering classes and labs at RMC, postings together in Comox and Ottawa, as well as dinners out with Lynn and then later whoever was the woman in his life. Regardless of when were together, I was always greeted with his trademark smile, a hearty handshake and later as his cancer progressed a big bear hug that only a brother could give you. A truly gentle soul who did not deserve to die so young. Rest in peace my good friend.
Elmer Horvath
My deepest condolences to the family. I live just down the street from Ritchie. I have a great memory of travelling with Ritchie and Lynn to Montreal to see a Canadian Women's FIFA game. It was a fun time and I am glad to have had that opportunity, as an example, to get to know him. May he Rest In Peace.
My condolences to Ritchie's family in this time of loss. While only spending a short time as a tenant in his home, Ritchie always carried a positive spirit and found joy in the simple pleasures in life. He will be missed dearly.