Richard Allan Fuller
January 27th, 2022
Richard passed away in Surrey, British Columbia on January 27, 2022, one week before his 88th birthday, with his wife Eileen at his side.
Richard Allan was born on February 3, 1934 in Streatham, England, the only child of Ernest and Winifred (nee Wheeler). Allan, as he was known to friends and family in England, was an adventurous spirit who found humour and fun in all things, even in his childhood wartime experiences of sleeping in a bomb shelter and being evacuated to Cornwall. After finishing at Battersea Grammar School at age sixteen, he wanted a job that would take him abroad and went to work at the Royal Bank of Canada in London, their youngest hire ever.
At 20, he was sent to Port of Spain, Trinidad, and began a lifetime of adventure in Latin America and the Caribbean, abiding fully by the maxim “work hard play hard”. Parties, jazz concerts, and card and dice games (several of his own invention), were favourite pastimes. In the turmoil of Colombia in 1950s, he was swept up in arrests of demonstrators and would later enjoy recounting how he would be stopped by people in the street who said they had been with him in the paddy wagon – a tall young Englishman was conspicuous!
In Bogota in 1960, he was introduced over a bridge table to the newly arrived secretary at the Canadian Embassy, who would become not just his bridge partner but his life partner too. Dick (as he was known after leaving England) and Eileen were married on July 22, 1961. With children Tim and Patricia, they would go on to live in Montreal, Trinidad and Argentina. Banking was a headache in hyperinflationary Argentina, and in 1981 the Malvinas/Falklands war broke out. He took it all in stride, carrying on with his banking duties from the family’s refuge in Uruguay. He was rewarded with an appointment as Regional Manager in Barbados, and then he and Eileen returned to Bogota for another 10 years, completing his banking career.
In retirement, Richard and Eileen loved to welcome extended family and many new friends (even ones that didn’t play bridge!) to their home in Amble Greene, Surrey BC. When grandchildren arrived, he loved nothing better than to hunt for toys in his weekly garage sale tours. He put his carpentry skills and ability to fix anything to use for the local Cancer Society and was active in local clubs and committees.
He leaves a legacy of generosity of spirit and happiness that he shared with family and his many friends around the world. He kept his legendary sense of humour to the end.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Eileen, his children Tim (Marcela) and Patricia (George), and his grandchildren, Veronica and Richard Fuller Mancilla, and Daniel and Kelin Dix Fuller. The family wishes to thank the staff at Suncrest Retirement Village for the attentive care they gave Richard in his last year of life.
Richard Allan nació el 3 de febrero de 1934 en Streatham, Inglaterra, siendo el único hijo de Ernest y Winifred (nee Wheeler). Allan, como lo conocían sus amigos y familiares en Inglaterra, era un espíritu aventurero que encontraba el humor y la diversión en todas las cosas, incluso en las experiencias de su infancia durante la guerra como el de dormir en un refugio antiaéreo y ser evacuado a Cornualles. Después de terminar en Battersea Grammar School a los dieciséis años, quería un trabajo que lo llevara al extranjero y se fue a trabajar al Royal Bank of Canada en Londres, siendo asi la persona mas joven contratada en el banco.
A los 20 años lo enviaron a Puerto España, Trinidad, y ahi comenzó una vida llena de aventuras en América Latina y el Caribe, apegado al dicho de “trabaja duro, juega duro”. Las fiestas, los conciertos de jazz y los juegos de cartas y dados (varios de su propia invención) eran pasatiempos favoritos. En la agitación de Colombia en la década de 1950, se vio envuelto en arrestos de manifestantes y más tarde disfrutaría contando cómo la gente en la calle lo detenía y decía que habían estado con él en el furgón: ¡un joven inglés alto era notorio!
En Bogotá en 1960, fue presentado en un juego de bridge a la recién llegada secretaria (Eileen) de la Embajada de Canadá, quien se convertiría no solo en su compañera de bridge, sino también en su compañera de vida. Dick (como se le conocía después de dejar Inglaterra) y Eileen se casaron el 22 de julio de 1961.
Richard y Eileen junto con sus dos hijos Tim y Patricia, vivirían en Montreal, Trinidad y Argentina. La banca fue un dolor de cabeza en la Argentina hiperinflacionaria, y en 1981 estalló la guerra de Malvinas/Falklands. Richard tomó todo con calma, continuando con sus funciones bancarias desde el refugio de la familia en Uruguay. Fue recompensado con un nombramiento como Gerente Regional en Barbados, y luego él y Eileen regresaron a Bogotá por otros 10 años, completando su carrera bancaria.
Despues de su jubilación, continuaron con una vida social muy ocupada. A Richard y Eileen les encantaban dar la bienvenida a la familia extensa y a muchos amigos nuevos (¡incluso a los que no jugaban al bridge!) en su hogar en Amble Greene, Surrey BC. Cuando llegaron los nietos, nada le gustaba más que buscar juguetes en sus recorridos semanales de venta de garaje. Puso sus habilidades de carpintero para arreglar cualquier cosa para usar en la Asociación de Cáncer local y participó activamente en clubes y comités locales.
Richard deja un legado de generosidad de espíritu y felicidad que compartió con su familia y sus muchos amigos de todo el mundo. Mantuvo su legendario sentido del humor hasta el final.
Le sobreviven su esposa durante 60 años, Eileen, sus hijos Tim (Marcela) y Patricia (George), y sus nietos, Veronica y Richard Fuller-Mancilla, y Daniel y Kelin Dix Fuller.
La familia agradece muy sinceramente al personal de Suncrest Retirement Village por el atento cuidado que le brindaron a Richard en su último año de vida.
Messages:
My wife Eileen and I well recall our first meeting with Richard on arrival in BA at the outbreak of the Malvinas war , a difficult time indeed. Richard as a senior manager at the Royal Bank of Canada was a vital faction in guiding me as the manager of a large group of Canadian Engineers operating in the country 1982-1985 through the financial hazards of dealing with a local currency the value of which was almost out of control and constantly changing . My wife and i so very much enjoyed the many hours of duplicate bridge we shared with them when working in both in Argentina , and holidaying with them in Barbados, and later back here in Vancouver. Richard was a joy to be with and we shall surely miss him and his cheerful outlook on life which he exuded to others .Our sincere condolences to his wife and family at this difficult time.
I was very sorry to learn that Allan had died. He was my father’s cousin. With his career taking him to the Caribbean, South America and Canada he represented the exotic and exciting part of the family. After my parents died Allan continued to keep up with us and was always very interested in what was happening to the family in the UK. I remember him as a very kind and generous man with a great enthusiasm for life and with multiple interests, one of which was looking into the family history and revealing some colourful characters. Our thoughts are with Eileen and his family.
Rest in peace, Señor Fuller, as we used to call him in Colombia. I will always remember him as my boss and friend and for all his teachings during the time we worked together. Our deepest condolences to Eileen and family from Carmenza and me.
Richard came into our lives about 20 years ago playing bridge. He was a most enjoyable and interesting person. I will miss his humour.
We first met Richard when a few of the wives in The Newcomers Club formed a Bridge Group. Then the Probus Club where Richard was treasurer for about 10 years. He always was a most enjoyable and likeable person, one of the best. I will miss him.
Dick was the best man at our marriage, and had been my closest friend for many years in Bogota. Our lives had been in parallel, he was only days older than me and our places of birth an easy walking distance apart. We were both evacuated from London as children, he to Cornwall and I to Wales. As bachelors we shared an apartment in Bogota. After our retirements, he and Eileen settled in British Columbia; Maria Ines and I in Ontario, unfortunately, since then, we could not see them as often as we would have liked.
Dick was a great man who treated everyone around him with respect. He and Eilieen hosted many a Canadian Club of Colombia meeting at their home and always made sure there was peanut butter available for me. His Amble Greene wines were well made and savoury, his toy repairs done with loving care and his bridge games apparently top notch. Dick is now playing golf with my stepfather Roy and enjoying a well-deserved rest after a fulfilling life. Amparo and I offer our deepest condolences to his wonderful wife, Eileen, and the family he has left behind. Un abrazo. <3
I often remember with fondness the luncheons Richard organized for our Royal Bank Seniors and his wine that he brought. My deepest sympathy to you Eileen and family.
So many great memories from Uruguay were we spent 3 months of the “war” together! Will never forget those times spent together!!!
R.I.P and farewell Mr. Fuller. My condolences to Eileen and family. I do keep great memories of the time at old Banco Royal in Bogotá
We were fortunate to have met in Barbados and became fast friends for life. We shared a common interest in bridge. Our children also knew this wonderful man and his dear wide Eileen. I send my heartfelt sympathy to all the family from my family.my love to all. Donna McElroy
My family has very fond memories of Cousin Allen. I remember visiting his parents as a young child and He always came to visit my mother Bimble as often as he could. I missed a school day once so we could all go on the Big Dipper in Southend and have a day at the fair A kinder more generous person could not be found and I am thinking of you and your family at this sad time. God bless you
Dick was an excellent human being, humble and understanding. I am very sorry for the lost of such a wonderful person. He left us so many memories and I am very grateful for his friendship. My condolences to Eileen his lovely wife and family.Dick,rest in peace.
Rest In Peace Mr. Fuller. A great influence in my life, so thankful to have had the opportunity to work with him for many years. A wonderful person that will be in my memory forever.
So sad to hear! Richard was an amazing person. My condolences to his entire family. Lynn G
So sorry to hear that Mr. Fuller passed away. R. I. P.. Love to the family. A big hug & God bless you.