Obituary of Richard Crooks

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our brother, Richard Crooks on Sept. 21, 2023 at the age of 63 in the Regina General Hospital. Richard Michael Crooks was born on Oct.4, 1959 at Lafleche Union Hospital. He was the 9^th child of George and Nellie Crooks. Richard grew up on the family farm south of Lafleche. He attended school at Lafleche Mathieu School and Lafleche Central School. After graduating, Richard headed to Regina to take his Education degree at the University of Regina. After completing his degree, he was accepted into the RCMP, a lifetime dream of his. He started training at Depot in Regina on Nov.11, 1982 and graduated on June 6, 1983. His first posting was in The Pas, Manitoba. That started a long-time career with the RCMP which he was extremely proud of. He served in Dauphin, MB; Cross Lake, MB; Kugluktuk, NT; Arviat, NT; Inuvik, NWT; Tuktoyaktuk, NWT; Lumsden, SK; back to Dauphin, MB; Winnipeg, MB; and then to Regina where he retired as a Staff Sergeant. He loved his time in the RCMP and especially loved his time in the north, collecting many forms of Inuit art.

Family meant the world to Richard and although he had no family of his own, he was especially proud of all his nieces and nephews. He had a personal mission to attend all weddings of his nieces and nephews which he was proud to say that so far, he was perfect. He enjoyed his cabin at Thomson Lake, hosting season openers and closers and weekly happy hours and was happiest when some of the nieces and nephews were around to join in. He was always ready for a family get-together and would be there come hell or high water. His long walks along the shores of Thomson Lake and through the park brought him many hours of peace and solitude. He loved starting his own plants and his yard was full of beautiful flowers and plants that would attract butterflies, in particular the Monarch Butterfly. He would watch all summer long for the opportunity to take the perfect picture of the butterflies.

 Richard was a historian and a genealogist. He spent hours researching family histories for both our families and families of friends. He got involved with the Ste. Radegonde cemetery project and was very proud of the work that he and others accomplished, and just recently became a member of the Lafleche and District Museum which he was so excited about and talked about all the ideas he had. His love of history and genealogy brought him to get his own lineage tested by DNA and found out we were 53% Irish which would explain his love of Guinness beer.

Being a staunch supporter of cancer research, come November every year, the mustache would start growing and he started raising money. He also served on a volunteer board called Cancer Connection, helping cancer patients through their tough times after dealing with his own treatments. He had a big heart and was always willing to help others. He supported Stars, Children’s Hospital through the Riders and of course, the Saskatchewan Roughriders to which he had season tickets since 2013 when he moved back to Regina. He loved dogs and had a great companion in Draco and it was a sad day when Draco passed away. After Draco’s passing, he helped the SPCA by fostering dogs until homes could be found.

Richard is predeceased by his parents George (2005) and Nellie (2004) (nee Morin) Crooks, brothers Lloyd (2015), Mark (2016), Clinton (2012), sister Glenda (2016), nephews Joshua Crooks (2011) and Cole Crooks (2020).

He is survived by sisters Laurina (Dennis) Ghiglione, Gloria (Sterling) McIvor, Valerie (Eric) Kolish, Colleen (Jerry) Andries, Elaine (John) Garies and sisters-in-law Cheryl Crooks (Marty), Doreen Crooks and Marilyn McEachern as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family would greatly appreciate donations towards the Lafleche & District Museum or Stars Ambulance.

A public service will be held at Ste Radegonde Catholic Church in Lafleche, SK on Thursday, Sept 28, 2023 @2:00 p.m. Everyone welcome.