Obituary of Richard R. Forand

"Version française suit" It is with hearts deeply filled with sadness that the family of Richard Rosaire Forand announce his passing on April 2, 2012 at the age of 50 years.  Rick was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia on December 8, 1961 the youngest of three to parents Jean-Luc and Mary C. (Kaye) Forand.  Rick lived in Europe as a child, Quebec as a young boy and returned to Halifax as a teenager, whereupon he moved to Falmouth in 1978.Rick is survived by his adoring daughters Katherine "Katie Cakes" and Jacqueline "Jacqua-Roo" (partner Chris DeCoste) and by the love of his life, Janice Forand (nee Brown).  Rick is survived by his parents, brother Luc Forand (Madeleine Herbert) and sister Denise.  By his parents-in-law Yvonne and Chester Brown, sisters-in-law Heather (Bob) McDonald, Lisa (Dany) Lebrasseur, brothers-in-law Kevin (Barbie) Brown and Graeme (Karen) Brown.  Uncle Rick will be deeply missed by Jennifer, Colin, Matthew, Corey, Aimee, Charmaine, Kaitlyn, Emilie, Molly and Isabelle and as Great Uncle Rick by Parker, John-Michael and new baby Peyton.  Rick was predeceased by his brother-in-law Oral Barkhouse.Rick was an extraordinary son, brother, father, husband, teacher, mentor and friend to hundreds of people who were privileged to know and love him.  Rick was a vibrant part of the Windsor Community where his positive energy and loving encouragement touched his students, colleagues, his friends and his family.  Rick’s life was short but filled with amazing accomplishments.  As a student at Windsor Regional and a graduate of King’s Edge-Hill School Rick was recognized, respected and awarded for his athletic abilities.  Rick was a graduate of the Acadia University Physical Education Program and most recently completed his Master of Education at MSVU.   As a lifelong athlete, Rick excelled at track & field, hockey, golf, baseball, soccer, basketball, football, skiing, swimming and enjoyed bodybuilding, scuba-diving and boating.  Rick was the owner of the Locker Room Health and Fitness Club with his beloved wife, Janice.  Rick’s professional career included teaching Physical Education at the middle school and high school levels, French, Grade 6 at Falmouth District School and most recently as lead teacher of the O2 (Options and Opportunities) Program at Avon View High School.Rick’s love of sport and teaching combined made him a motivating and beloved coach for over 30 years including:  Jr. Boys Basketball, Track and Field, Jr. Girls and Senior Boys Volleyball, Senior Boys Soccer (Provincial Championship), Ski Team, Snowboard Team (4 Provincial Championships) and former coach of the Windsor Bluefins.  Rick enjoyed life to the fullest.  He travelled extensively with his parents and siblings, his daughters and Janice.  He particularly loved having family and friends celebrate life with him on his boat, at the cottage in Chester and at his home in Falmouth.During Rick’s recent illness he was encouraged, comforted and humbled by the many tributes he received in the form of letters and cards, from his former students, colleagues, friends and family.  From the moment Rick’s illness was diagnosed the colleagues and students at both Janice and Rick’s schools demonstrated their love with tangible gifts of food, cards, flowers, pictures.  He especially enjoyed the Sunshine Boxes and the ‘quilt of love’ from AVHS and the ‘Loving Trees of Hope" made the students and staff of Falmouth District School. Their family motto was a true reflection of his life – "Live *Love *Laugh" and the "Rick Ripple" became the wave created from the outpouring of love felt with connections people shared with Rick.Janice and family wish to thank the nurses of the Nova Scotia Cancer Clinic on the 11th floor of the Dickson Building.  The family also wants to express their deepest gratitude for the extraordinary care Rick received from the VON Nurses, the nurses at the Hants Community Hospital, Dr. Mark Kazimirski and Dr. Cathryn Smith who made his passing as caring and gentle as possible.  Special words of thanks are extended to friends: Andrea Mounce-Halasz and John Halasz and Dr. Iona Wile and Greg Wile, Sean Connolly and John Hudson, Michelle Kerr and the AVHS and FDS staff. Words cannot express our thanks to Dr. Cathy Kells and Dave Kells for their love, support and presence right to the end.Arrangements have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., PO Box 981, Windsor, NS B0N 2T0 (902-798-8317), where the family will receive visitors on Thursday, April 5 from 4-8 pm and on Friday, April 6 from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. A celebration of Rick’s life will be held at Windsor United Church, 613 King Street, Windsor, on Saturday, April 7 at 2 pm, Rev. Bill Gibson officiating, followed by a reception to be held at Avon View High School. In honour of Rick, you are invited to remember him by wearing his favourite colour – green.  Donations in memory may be made to the Windsor and Area Education Fund Association, where a special scholarship will be given annually in Rick’s name.  Donations can be dropped off at Avon View High School or mailed to PO Box 3449, Windsor, NS B0N 2T0.  Cheques payable to WAEFA, memo Rick Forand.Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.familycare.ca "Version Française"C’est avec une profonde tristesse que la famille de Richard Rosaire Forand annonce qu’il nous a quittés le 2 avril 2012 à l’âge de 50 ans.  Richard est né le 8 décembre 1961 à Halifax en Nouvelle-Écosse.   Enfant, il a passé 5 ans en Europe et 8 ans au Québec avant de rentrer à Halifax en 1976. Ensuite la famille a déménagé à Falmouth  en 1978 et là Richard a fondé sa famille. Il était le cadet des trois enfants de Jean-Luc (John) Forand de Granby, Québec et de Mary Catherine (Kaye) MacGregor de River Denys, Nouvelle-Écosse et l’époux de Janice (Brown) Forand et père de deux adorables filles Katherine « Katie » et Jacqueline « Jacqua ». Il laisse dans le deuil son frère Luc, sa belle-sœur Madeleine, sa sœur Denise, ces beaux-parents Yvonne and Chester Brown, ses belles-sœurs Heather (Bob) McDonald et Lisa (Dany) Lebrasseur, et ses beaux-frères Kevin (Barbie) Brown and Graeme (Karen) Brown.  Oncle Richard sera une perte énorme pour ces nièces et neveux Jennifer, Colin, Matthew, Corey, Aimée, Charmaine, Kaitlyn, Emilie, Molly, Isabelle, Parker, John-Michael et le nouveau-né Peyton. Richard manquera aussi à ses oncles, tantes, cousins et cousines. Richard était un fils extraordinaire, un frère merveilleux, un père incroyable, un époux adorable, et un enseignant, mentor et amis de plusieurs personnes qui ont eu le privilège de le connaitre et de l’aimer.  Il était une partie vibrante de sa communauté par son énergie positive et sa façon de faire pour sortir le meilleur de tous, sois ses étudiants, ses collègues, ses amis et sa famille. Même si sa vie fut trop courte, elle était bien remplie avec beaucoup d’accomplissements.  Richard était un excellent sportif et il a aimé faire l’athlétisme, le culturisme, le hockey, le football, le ski alpin ou nautique, le nage et le plongée. Avec Janice, il était propriétaire de "Locker Room Health and Fitness Club" où ils encourageaient les autres à se garder en forme. Comme enseignant spécialisé en éducation physique de l’Université Acadia, il était toujours bien apprécié par ses collègues et ses étudiants. Il a même récemment reçu sa maitrise en éducation de l’université Mount St. Vincent. Janice et la famille désirent remercier les infirmières qui ont pris soin de Richard ses derniers mois. En particulier, elles voudraient exprimer leur profonde gratitude pour les soins prodigués par les infirmières de VON, à l’hôpital Communautaire du Comté de Hants, des Dr Mark Kazimirski et Dre Cathryn Smith.  Remerciements spéciaux aux amis Andrea Mounce-Halasz, John Halasz, Dr. Iona Wile, Greg Wile, Dre Cathy Kells et son meilleur ami Dave Kells pour leur précieux support et amour jusqu’à la fin. Les visites seront permises jeudi le  5 avril de 16 hres à 20 hres et vendredi le 6 avril de 14 hres à 16 hres et de 19 hres à 21 hres au DeMont Family Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., PO Box 981, Windsor, NS B0N 2T0 (902-798-8317). Une célébration sera tenue à Windsor United Church (King Street, Windsor, NS) le 7 avril à 14 heures et suivi d’une réception au Avon View High School. En souvenir de Richard, nous vous invitons à porter sa couleur préférée, le vert.  Une bourse au nom de Richard sera créée pour un finissant d’Avon View High School. Richard apprécierait  qu’un don soit fait pour cette bourse plutôt que des fleurs ou une messe. Les dons seront acceptés à Avon View High School ou par chèque payable à WAEFA, référence Richard Forand, et adressé à P.O. Box 3449, Windsor, NS, BON 2TO. Les messages de condoléances peuvent être envoyés à la famille via le site: www.familycare.ca. Vivre * Aimer * Rire