August 27, 2018 - Visitation for Paul is Friday, Aug 31, 3-5, and 7-9 at Smith’s on Guelph Line, one block north of QEW.
Our BOSL family lost another friend today. For those of you that didn’t know him he was the kindest, nicest man, one hell of a teammate and a past League President. Our deepest sympathies goes out to his family, friends and loved ones.
Paul joined BOSL 27 years ago having won his Bob Brown award in 2005. Paul served as a Board of Director from 1993 to 1999 and as President of the leaguefor one term. Always a candidate for Most Valuable Oldtimer and our Oldtimer of the Year Award, Paul is fun to play with and against, hits anywhere and has good speed. He has a great attitude and exemplifies sportsmanship in BOSL. Paul talked me into re-joining the league when he was registration director and I'm glad he did.
Jim Hindley- Very sad news. Paul was a great teammate and ambassador for the BOSL. Let’s take a moment during tomorrow’s games to remember him.
Scott Sinclair - If you play in this league long enough you will cross paths with hundreds of great guys. Paul was one of the best, both on and off the diamond! The BOSL can be bittersweet at times. You make the best of friends and sometimes you lose a good friend. You will be missed Paul!
Ken MedlandMy first Captain when I joined BOSL many years ago and Paul set the bar high.
I was pleased to continue to enjoy his friendship over the years and I was crushed to learn of his death.
My condolences to his family.
God bless you Paul
Michael PorkolabThe man just oozed class in everything that he did both on and off the field. A true gentleman and as humble as can be. What an honour it was to get to know him over the years. You'll be missed, Paul.
Dave Little - Paul loved the BOSL. He was so proud that it has become an organization where fun and fellowship take precedence over competition and where giving back to the community is first and foremost. His leadership during the 90’s helped create the League we have today and the way he conducted himself on and off the field helped perpetuate it. You are missed my good friend.
Peter SkoretzI played with Paul 4 years ago. He was a tremendous teammate and friend. He was a terrific ambassador for the league. RIP Paul!
Steve Bourke That's incredibly sad to hear. Was such a good man
Rick McKay Paul was truly 1 of the nicest guys I ever met during my time in the league.
Mike Gibbs Never had the pleasure of playing along side him. Sad day for his family, and the BOSL.
Tom Clancy Such sad news, he was a true gentleman and great competitor in all he did. He will be missed in the BOHC as well
Mike Wright Played with Paul a number of years. Fabulous man. Huge loss.
Scott Young That's such a shame... Great person and friend. He will be truly missed.
Andy Morrison Very sad to hear. Paul was a great person to play with and talk to.
Brian Blume Paul was a real competitor in ball and hockey... also knew when the game was over, the best part was lying about it all over a beer... he will be missed...
Roger Hills Sorry to hear the sad news. My condolences to friends and family.
Jim Craig So sad. A true gentleman. Had the pleasure of both playing with Paul and serving on the BOSL Board with him. Rest in peace, my friend.
Mike McFadden A real gentleman. Paul was in my Oakville league. I also played with Paul in the BOSL. He will be sadly missed.
Elizabeth Fyfe McFadden Very sad news. One of the nicest players on Mike's team. Our deepest sympathy to his family and friends. A tremendous loss.
Ron Evinou Told it like it was for sure. Think Mike Boyle is probably going through his pregame routine as we speak
Mike Boyle Going to miss him!! It's amazing how much he also meant to my wife and daughters. They spent alot of time together when we were on the field. My first four seasons I was with Paul. From his playing days to his management days. He not only made me feel welcome but also my family as he would sit with them between innings. He was a true leader and such a kind human being! He is going to be missed by many. RIP Pauly!!
Nick Mattiacci Paul was on my first ball team when joined in 1995. He was always a source of encouragement. RIP my friend......
Roger Ross Paul was to me what bosl stands for and thats friendship on and off the field and to all that knew him he touched them all in a special way and he will be dearly missed by all
John Stewart A big loss for our league. A class individual and a great teammate. Rest In Peace Paul.
Kevin Gilligan RIP Paul. I enjoyed each and every conversation I had with you. You will be missed by many.
Kerry Close - Win , lose or draw Paul’s zest for the game , the sharing of fun times and stories with the players never wavered. Always a positive person who loved sharing time with the guys , a true gentleman, God bless the Ritchie family.
John Rivard - Paul was a great ambassador to BOSL .. Never wanted to draw attention to himself; although he was a great athlete. .. By interacting with all the players; either with a quick joke, a handshake or a wink Paul wanted to ensure that we were all enjoying the league. RIP friend.
Paul Anderson Ritchie, age 68, died on August 27, 2018 at Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington Ontario. He had a brief, yet fierce battle with kidney cancer. Paul was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba to Dave and Dorothy Ritchie and was the second of 4 boys. He was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity at the University of Manitoba where he completed an Arts degree and also met his beautiful wife, Wendy (Boak). After Paul and Wendy were married he completed his Chartered Accountant designation at Clarkson Gordon. He had a very successful career which included moving to Arizona with Federal Industries and later to Burlington Ontario where he worked at CRS Robotics and Fermentas.
Paul's proudest accomplishment was his family and the tight bond they shared. He leaves behind his wife Wendy and their children Pamela (Craig) Dewberry and David (Ashley) Ritchie. Paul adored his four grandchildren, James (7) and Luke (5) Dewberry, Cameron (3) and Beatrice (1) Ritchie. They called him “Papa Pauly Wally” and he was always teaching them silly tricks, singing funny songs or taking them for ice cream. He also leaves behind his brothers John (Ruth Young), Craig, Barry (Terry) Ritchie and Wendy's siblings Diane (Gus) Campbell and Terry (Cathy) Boak and many nieces and nephews who all called him “Unc”.
Paul was a wonderful man and his sense of humour will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and buddies from various community organizations. He was a member of the Burlington old timers baseball league for over 25 years, Oakville masters men’s slow-pitch league, Burlington old-timers hockey club, Bruce trail volunteer association, scotch tasting club, Apache Wells baseball league and Hacker Hockey league in Arizona. Paul and Wendy loved golfing, cycling and traveling together and their favourite place was their home in Arizona where they spent 7 winters together.
Thank you Dr. Keith Comeau, Dr. Fornasier, Dr. Greslo, Dr. Mills, the Pallative pain team and nurses at Joe Brant for caring for Paul.
Visitation at SMITH'S FUNERAL HOME,
1167 Guelph Line (one stop light north of QEW), BURLINGTON (905-632-3333),
on Friday, August 31, 2018 from 3-5 and 7-9. For those who wish, donations in memory of Paul to the Kidney Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society would be sincerely appreciated by the family.
