Richard Alan Fanning

Richard Alan Fanning passed away peacefully on December 7, 2025, at VON Sakura House in Woodstock, at the age of 76, surrounded by love and family. Richard’s greatest joy was the deep love he shared for 33 years with his soulmate, confidant, and adored wife, Kimberly. He leaves behind Kimberly; his cherished daughter Ashley DeRosa (Joel McIver) of Edmonton; his cherished stepdaughter Ashley McGowan (Mark Stafford) of Stratford; and his loved grandchildren Giavanna and Valentino. He will be missed by his uncle Tom Lyle, brother-in-law Allan Hux, nephew Ryan Hux (Lisa Marino), and a wide circle of cousins. The only child of Weldon Earl Fanning and Eleanor Isobel (Dickson) of Peterborough, Richard was predeceased by his parents; his parents-in-law Barbara and T. Ross Graham; sister-in-law Denise Graham; brother-in-law Tom Graham; and aunt Muriel Lyle. 

Born in Peterborough, Richard lived and worked in many cities across Canada – Toronto, Edmonton, Vancouver, London, and finally Woodstock. He enjoyed a prominent banking career with CIBC in Commercial Banking, Retail Branch Management and District Management. Shifting gears, he broke new ground introducing cellular phones with CANTEL, opening districts in Vancouver and Southwestern Ontario. He concluded his career with Financial Recoveries and then with Community Futures Oxford mentoring small businesses through startups, financing, marketing and growth phases as a Business and Loans Consultant. Richard served on numerous community boards, approaching every role with integrity, insight, and that trademark humour. He was a passionate advocate for supporting local businesses and causes. 

People were simply drawn to Richard. Strangers became friends. He had the rare gift of seeing the good in everyone and could lift any room with a spontaneous one-liner, and infectious humour. Endlessly curious, Richard devoured books and documentaries on current events, politics, geography, world history, and especially First and Second World War military history. Proud of his “RAF” initials as a nod to his lifelong admiration and support to the armed services. Like his hero Winston Churchill, Richard had an enormous appetite for good food and for life itself. He never met a dessert he didn’t like, believed the best days involved a drive, being around a table with good food and great friends. 

He had a self-proclaimed love of all things from the United Kingdom including the music of the Beatles, Eric Clapton and Van Morrison. After retiring happily in 2014, Richard and Kim filled their days with travel – Hawaii, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, Wales, Ireland, Iceland, the Lake District, Liverpool, the Florida Keys and California, collecting laughter and stories that will be retold forever. 

Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held in the New Year, details to follow. The family extends heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the Doctors, Nurses, PSWs, Chefs, Staff and Volunteers at Woodstock Hospital (Complex Care Unit), and VON Sakura House for their devoted and incredible care.

If desired, donations in Richard’s memory may be made to VON Sakura House, the Woodstock Hospital Foundation or a charity of your choice. To the many dear friends and family whose unwavering support meant the world to Richard, thank you. Your love is a testament to the deep and lasting relationships Richard nurtured his entire life.

Richard truly was one of a kind!

Ways to Give –Woodstock Hospital Foundation 

Ways To Donate — Sakura House