Obituary of John Campbell Richards

Richards, John Campbell John Campbell Richards passed away at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital on May 8, 2026, in his 92nd year. He was born in York County to parents Jesse and Reta Richards, dear brother of Roy and Ken who have preceded him in death. He was the beloved husband of Sylvia Richards (née Addison) for 68 years; loving father of Ted (Kathy) and Lynn; proud grandfather of Chris (Amanda), Michael (Michelle), Ryan (Laura), Erin; great-grandfather of Jayden, Ryder, Bay, Jasmine, Angelina, Sydney, Easton, Hayden, Hendrik, Weston, and Annemijn. John will be missed and lovingly remembered by his family and friends. Even before leaving the farm John was building houses near Lake Simcoe. After selling the farm John and Sylvia lived in a small subdivision near Lake Simcoe where John worked for an implement dealer in Bradford who specialized in farming equipment for marsh farmers. Later, when he began to work with an aircraft maintenance engineer at Hare Field at Holland Landing, he was asked if he was interested in taking a course at Centennial College to become an engineer himself. Of course, he said “yes” and thought no more of it. He enrolled at the college for one year, beginning in January of 1976 and graduated Dec. 24, 1976, on their 19th wedding anniversary. At 40 years of age and having been out of school since he was 17, this was quite a challenge, but his first job after graduation was at Orillia Air Services and Lake St. John Airport for land and seaplanes. While he worked primarily in the metal shop doing fabrication, he also went on many salvage jobs, bringing aircraft that had been badly damaged home to be rebuilt — many of which he did at home with Sylvia. Before he retired at the age of 83, he had the pleasure of also having worked at Orillia Aviation for Centennial Aviation in Barrie, Norland Aviation at Head Lake, Lovett Aviation at Mansfield, and Freymond Aviation Ltd at Balsam Lake. In keeping with his wishes, cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family welcomes donations made to Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital.