Ottawa Philatelic Society
IN MEMORIAM
2022
Gordon Richardson
1945 – 2022
Gordon passed away peacefully on August 10, one day shy of celebrating 50
years of marriage with his wife Judith Ann. Born in Brandon Manitoba, Gordon's
Christian upbringing was the driving force of his life. He served in various
roles over many years at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church in Ottawa. He obtained a degree in agriculture from the University of
Manitoba and a master's in agroeconomics
from the University of Guelph.
He worked for Agriculture Canada for 37 years, starting as a food
inspector and ultimately playing a key role in the creation of Canada's food
export service. Through work, he travelled the world and had the opportunity to
live with his family in Mexico City, and with Judy in Singapore. Gord was an
avid philatelist and had a fine collection of early Manitoba postmarks. He was
a member of the RA Stamp Club and the OPS, and was an active supporter of
ORAPEX.
Tom Meyerhof
1948 - 2022
Passed away after a full life. Born in London, England, he
was the oldest son of Elisabeth Meyerhof and G. Geoffrey Meyerhof. At age five, Tom came to Canada with his parents and his brother to settle first in Montreal and two years later in
Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he grew up. He attended Dalhousie University, obtaining a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in chemistry, the subject that had fascinated him since childhood. While in a
doctorate program at McMaster University in Hamilton, he met the love of his life, Dorothy Ostrom, in 1971. They were happily married for 48 years, living first in Toronto and then in
Ottawa. Tom spent most of his career as an analytical chemist for the Dept. of National Defence.
Tom and Dorothy lived happily in the Honey Gables neighbourhood of Gloucester Ontario for over 40 years. He also enjoyed gardening and improving his home. Tom was predeceased by Dorothy in late 2021. He is survived by his brother Peter Meyerhof, his sister-in-law Mary Anne, and his nephew Geoffrey all living in California.
Tom was an avid philatelist and became an authority on the early postage of Canada. a. He was a member of the Ottawa Philatelic Society for many years, most recently serving as the Chair of the Canada Study Group. Tom was also a respected member of BNAPS, where he was a regular contributor to their society’s magazine.
2021
Henri Léonard
1934 - 2021
Long-time OPS member, Henri died on June 23, 2021, at the age of 87. Henri was a lifelong stamp collector, collecting the World. He was a regular and popular member of the club and will be greatly missed by his fellow members.
Henri had an interesting and varied life. His childhood was spent in war-torn France. He became a sailor with the French Navy and fought in the French Indochina War. Moving to the U.K., he married and fathered three sons. He then became a civil engineer. In Canada, Henri worked for the St. Lawrence Seaway Commission. Later, he taught at the Community College Level in Kenora and later North Bay before moving to Ottawa to be with Judy, his second wife. In Ottawa he worked for The City of Ottawa Housing Division.
In Memoriam-Paul Volkmer
1931-2021
Long-time OPS member Paul Volkmer died on February 11, 2021, in his 90th year. Paul immigrated to Canada from Germany in 1955 and over the years was involved in various German-Canadian cultural groups. He was an avid collector of German stamps and a regular attendee at club meetings. Because he could read old German handwriting—something of a lost art—he was a great asset in deciphering old German postal history. In recent years health issues slowed him down, but he continued to drop in on club evenings to say hello or to pick up a catalogue. Paul is survived by his wife of 67 years, Elfrieda, by three children, a granddaughter and a great grandson. Paul will be greatly missed by his many friends at the OPS.
2020
In Memoriam - Bill Clarke
1930-2020.
Long-time OPS member Bill Clarke passed away on January 7th in his 90th year. Bill was an avid philatelist, returning to the hobby in the early 1980s. He had a special interest in British stamps and exhibited specialized collections of 1954 Prestwick crash covers, “Too Late” British postmarks and Eiffel Tower labels, cachets and postmarks. Bill worked for many years as an illustrator for Crawley Films and in the course of his career, worked professionally and became friends with several British and Canadian stamp designers and production artists. A Celebration of Life is planned for a date, not yet announced, in April.
2019
IN MEMORIAM -- RON LEFEBVRE
It is with deep regret that we advise that our good friend and colleague, Ron Lefebvre passed away on July 26, 2019. Our deepest sympathy goes out to Ron's immediate family: wife, Lucie; and children Elise, Andreane, Remi and Jean Francois.
Ron's introduction to collecting stamps started in 1961 at the eight. At the end of the school year
he received a gift from his teacher -- a small 4"X6" stamp holder containing ten Canadian
stamps. It was his first album.
Ron joined the APO in 2002 and seven years later, accepted the job of President.
He held that position until 2008. In 2010 he became a member of the OPS.
Ron's collecting interests were world wide with a preference for Canada. In 2014 he
exhibited at ORAPEX and was granted a Bronze-Silver medal for: The 1976 Montreal Olympics--Thirty Seven Years Later in Photos and Stamps.
We also appreciate that Ron became a "cottage industry" purveyor of stamp supplies for
many years and this excellent service was appreciated by all OPS and APO members.
We will miss him.
There was no visitation. Typical of Ron, he gave his body to science for medical research.
Karl Siemens
1945 – 2019
Karl was born in Celle, Germany in 1945. His father was taken prisoner of war, so Karl was raised by his mother. Seeking a better life, Karl's mother immigrated to Winnipeg Canada in 1948, taking Karl, her only child with her. Several years later they moved to St. Catharines, Ontario.
Karl attended McMaster University on a scholarship from General Motors (GM). He graduated with a PhD in Electrical Engineering (now Electrical and Computer Engineering). The association with GM continued during his time at McMaster, where work terms and part-time work led to a full time job with the company when he graduated.
Karl met his future wife, Jean, in St. Catharines, where they married in 1972. Seeking new adventures, Karl and his family moved to Ottawa after he accepted a job offer from Bell Northern Research (later Nortel). Sensing impending problems at Nortel Karl left and co-founded XTR-EDA.
Karl enjoyed many activities including travelling, coin collecting, minerals and photography. He and his wife were members of the Ottawa Horticultural Society. His main interest, however, was stamp collecting which he started at the age of 5 and which developed into a life-long passion. Karl created topical collections including maps on stamps, minerals on stamps, selected world countries, and a stamp from each country of the world. He specialized in Canadian stamps and was particularly interested in plate varieties. Karl also loved working on his Admiral stamps. His last project was developing a collection with a page devoted to each post office in Canada. Karl was a member of the Ottawa Philatelic Society for many years and a member of the Canada Study Group. He once gave a memorable talk to the Canada Study Group on using ultraviolet light to distinguish paper varieties and printings.
Karl is survived by his wife Jean, his two daughters Christine and Cathy, and 4 grandchildren.
We will all miss his lively and engaging conversations.
Andy Palochik
From: Dick Logan <dicklogan@rogers.com>
Date: May 1, 2019 at 12:47:31 PM GMT-4
To: John Tooth <j.tooth@videotron.ca>
Subject: Alfred Dyer
This will let you know that Alfred Dyer, a Past President
and over 50 year member of the Ottawa Philatelic Society
passed peacefully on April 28, 2019 -- five days shy of
his 96th birthday.
Friends are invited to the Central Chapel of Hulse Playfair and McGarry, 315 McLeod Street on Friday, May 3, 2019 from 6-8pm.
Internment to follow.
Best Regards
Dick
2018
Jerry Olesnyckyj
(October 10, 1939 - August 7, 2018)
It is with sadness that we hear of Jerry O's passing. Dick Logan wrote the following for Jerry.
Jerry started collecting early in life and as a young man worked for Richard and Bill Maresch. He had a vast knowledge of worldwide stamps but specialized in used Ukraine, Western Ukraine, Russia, Poland and British Colonies in the Pacific.
For many years he would buy world collections, then transport them to a partner in the United States who would parcel them in lots which Jerry would sell at various stamp clubs in Florida during the winter months. Jerry was a dedicated family man and spent countless hours helping his children and grandchildren.
Eric Jarvlepp
1925-2018
Eric Jarvlepp has passed away in early July from a blood infection MDS at age 93. He was a long time member of the Ottawa Philatelic Society. For his obituary
please consult the Ottawa Citizen or google his name.
Passing of Jim Brennan
Anna Brennan has informed us that her husband, Jim Brennan, passed away on April 7. Jim was a long-time stamp collector and member of OPS.
There will be a visitation at Hulse, Playfair & McGarry (on McCloud Street) on Tuesday, April 10th from 6 pm to 9 pm. A service will be held at St. Patrick’s Basilica, Kent Street, at 10:00 am on Wednesday, April 11th.
2017
In Loving Memory
Jack Gray
Dec 1927- Feb 2017
Long Time member of OPS
President of OPS 2006-2008
Thought I would pass along a very sad email I received tonight regarding the passing of our late friend Jack Gray. Jack moved down to Port Hope in the summer of 2013, so he did not have much time to enjoy the beautiful town of Port Hope.
Our Condolences to his wife and children and their families.
He was a big part of OPS stamp club in so many ways through the years. Including President of OPS 2006-2008
From his obituary:
"In his spare time, Jack was an avid collector, most notably of books and stamps. He considered himself a lucky man to have spent a long and happy life doing what he loved. In accordance with his wishes, there will not be a funeral; a few gatherings of friends to raise a toast and share a tale will be organized over the coming months."
To link to his obituary, click here
IN LOVING MEMORY
YVON RICHARD
February 8th 2017
It is with great sadness that I must pass on the news of the passing of our friend, Yvon Richard.
Loving companion to our friend Nicole Lacourse, he will be greatly missed.
Our Condolences to Nicole and both their families.
He was a big part of OPS and APO stamp clubs in so many ways. At OPS he was always helping where needed, with auctions and our occasional potluck dinner meetings
Yvon was also a valued member of the ORAPEX Committee and a great help over many years . With his work at ORAPEX with the physical organization of the frames and the exhibits, as well as many other tasks for which he always seemed to be available.
Yvon's funeral will take place on Saturday, February 25th at 10:00 hours Visitation from 9:30
at La Cooperative Funeraire de l'Outaouais, 1369 boulevard de La Verendrye
Gatineau, QC, J8T 8K2, 819-568-2425.
Take Highway 50 and get off at La Verendrye
and it's on your left at the next traffic light.