ARMSTRONG, Richard James

Passed away suddenly on Wednesday Dec 2.2020.   Richard James Armstrong in his 72nd year.  Beloved husband of Tina (Abels) for 50 years. Loving Dad of Michael (Courtney).  Cherished grandpa of Deacon and Perry.Dear brother of  Wilf (Bonnie), Christine (Paul) Hansen, Timothy (Nancy), Susan (Tom) Hammer, Sandra Crick.Cherished brother in law of Hendrik (Bonnie) Abels and Ed (Judy) Abels. Predeceased by his parents George and Grace Armstrong.  Richard (Rick) will be sadly missed by his nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Richard Armstrong, M.S.M former Director/Chief of the Region of Durham started his career in EMS by working as an attendant in Hamilton. Soon after he attended the paramedic course in Kingston. Later he became a Regional Manager in the Hamilton area, overseeing the evacuation of hospital and patients during the Mississauga train derailment and then the tragic St Joseph's hospital fire.He was a leader in the transition of land ambulance from the Ministry of Health to the Region. He was the founding member of the Association of Municipal Medical Services of Ontario (OMEMSO) and served as it's president from 2000 - 2006.The Association of Paramedic Chiefs annually award the Richard J. Armstrong Award for outstanding leadership in paramedicine in Ontario. Even in his retirement he served on the senate as a board member to help with EMS changes.Richard has been presented with the St Johns Ambulance award, the Ontario Amethyst award, then the Meritorious Service Medal by the Governor General in 2016.

He was a member of the Ontario Base Hospital Medical Advisory board, the Office of the Fire Marshal Core Planning Committee for Emergency Preparedness and other committees too numerous to mention. He loved and excelled at his work in paramedicine of Ontario.  He loved his golf, and most of all his family.  He will be missed by many.A service will be held for theimmediate family at Adams Funeral home at 445 St. Vincent St.in Barrie. Memorial donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or The Make a Wish Foundation of Canada in lieu of flowers would be much appreciated.