Richard Pitura at 77 years of age died with dignity on October 19, 2023. The man had a courageous, hard fought battle with cancer.

A husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, coach, and hard rock miner. Richard valued hard work, hustle, and determination. Simply put the words "I quit" did not exist in his vocabulary. He loved his family, loved sports, hunting moose, his cabin at Coli Lake especially his saw mill. Oh he loved that saw mill!!!!!

Richard loved being a miner, the friendships, stories in the tunnel. I swear he could recount every partner, shift boss, cage tender he ever had. Rich loved drilling and blasting, he took enormous pride in snapping out rounds.

Rich loved his wife Vivian and children Patty-Lynn (deceased), Holly (deceased), Teri and Rooke. Grandchildren Zac (Holly), Matthew, Jillian, and Sam (Teri & Nelson) and Jessica, Heidi, and Reid (Rooke & Candice.) Richard loved his son in law Nelson and daughter in law Candice like they were his own.

We will be celebrating his life November 14, 2023 at 1 pm in the Red Lake Legion. Come prepared to hear, share stories, shed a few tears as we honour the great man Richard Pitura.

In lieu of flowers, feel free to make a donation to the Harmony Centre or Red Lake District Hospital Auxiliary or Lake of the Woods District Hospital Chemo Department.

Richard Pitura was born on September 30, 1946. Born to his Father Joe Pitura and Mother Betty.  A little over a year later sister Barbra was born. Later a sister Sharon who departed this earth in 2003. Then of course the baby of the family brother Bradley.

The family home was built on the top of the hill in the West End of Red Lake on Howey Street.  This is where it all began and where Richard was instilled the values of hard work, hustle, toughness and grit….not necessarily by design but more out of survival as there was water to haul for cooking and cleaning, wood to cut for heat or to sell, barn stalls that had to be mucked out.  Richard described there being three kinds of work: …There was work…. hard work and harder work.  Rich described that he basically had to learn to love work as there was no other choice.   All the hard work did NOT deliver instant happiness and joy…. times were tough, like really tough back then.  Part of it was the era, another factor was if you knew his father Joe Pitura, well he was ambitious and a wonderful Grandpa but as a business man every new idea or opportunity seemed to lead to a fourth category of work which was even harder work!!!

Skidding out wood with a team of horses, hauling bags of cement or scrap iron you name it he did it.  When asked how much money he made for all his efforts Rich would reply "what money, never had to worry about how much money I had because we never had any.  But some way, somehow the family always got by.

Rich often recounted how indebted he felt toward His Uncle Paul, during a particularly hard time in the family business Uncle Paul came to live with them and worked, basically for nothing just to help keep the family stay afloat.  One day Richard and Paul were hauling bags of cement I'm not sure 30- or 40-pound bags.  Richard was dragging behind and stated how hard these bags of cement were to move.  Uncle Paul taught him when you get tired of carrying one bag of cement…. start carrying two for a couple trips that way when you go back to carrying one it doesn't seem so bad.

When Richard found a spare moment and wasn't working, he found great passion in sports.  He often recounted listening to games on the radio, playing table top hocky in the Gentes home but more then all he loved to play….and he especially loved to compete.  Hockey and baseball were the major sports of his youth and later high school football.  He credited the early and constant exposure to all the hard work as a main reason for why he excelled at sports.  Hard work, toughness, hustle and grit again were the key ingredients for everything he did it was the only thing he knew.

Rich never really spoke about personal accolades MVP's or championships of which there were a few, I'm sure. He was too humble to take credit or boast stories.  But as kids Holly, Teri and Rooke would love to hear his peers talk about how ferocious Rich played in his prime.  They'd run into someone he played with in Flin Flon who would recount the time Rich made quick work of Keith Magnesson who'd go on to play for the Chicago Black Hawks or how Bobby Clark eventual Captain of the Philadelphia Flyers would marvel and state that he wished he had as hard of a wrist shot as Richard.  Some of you may know and maybe some not but he was scouted and listed by the Detroit Red Wings.  There wasn't a draft back then but a scout travelled up to Flin Flon scouted him and signed him to a listed card.  When Rich went back to Flin Flon the following season there was a coaching change and to his own admission he wasn't as prepared as he should have been and was demoted back to the Junior Bombers.  Rather than stick around to work his way back up he came back home.  He knew the family needed him and back to work he went.  But this time he went to the mine!!!

It's hard to think about Rich without thinking about mining. Believe it or not he grew up despising the thought of working in the mines.  As a boy he'd see the miners waiting to catch rides to the mines, the men looked tired, sad some even looked scared. There were a lot of accidents in the mines back then so there would be emergency vehicles going by, kids would share stories as their Dads were hurt some maimed or worse killed and Rich thought man I'll never work in the mines.  He thought it would be nothing but teams of horses and wood piles as he loved working in the bush.  But when the mines came calling, they had no idea what they were getting!!!!

Once work began in the mines, he loved it…. why wouldn't he the difficulty of the work was next level which was right up his ally.  Rich started his mining career on the timber crew, a little in the shaft and cage tending.  At that time, he began working with Mike Bulawka Sr.  The two became fast friends Mike was a powerhouse who was counted on for some of the hardest jobs and Rich became the young muscle.  Rich watched big Mike giving haircuts in the headframe on graveyard shift with a bottle of whiskey in his mining boot.  But A favorite story Rich would often share is when they had to move a big staging.  Richard asked Big Mike "hey should I go get a come along" and Big Mike said…." COME ALONG!!!!  I can move this timber from here to Fintown LIFT MAN LIFT!!!!" Even as a young adult Richard found influences that were all about hard work, Toughness, Hustle and grit!!!!

Rich could recount every partner, shift boss, mine captain and manager.  He would recount nicknames: Muck Machine Freddie, Sleepy Jake, Coca-Cola, Suicide John and Funeral Jake.  He loved telling about mining and all the characters that worked down below.

His penchant for hard work and willingness to take on any challenge seen him often called in some of the worst situations.  Air blasts, cave in's, muck slides when they rang 9 bells Rich was never shy to assist.  He didn't share those stories often and when he did it was all jokes aside…. many had of these stories had tragic endings.  If you ever had the honor of hearing him, tell these stories you'd never forget it… He spoke of the individuals and families involved with dignity and respect.  Richard shared a bond with the men who were tasked with developing recovery plans and who helped dig out the men.  Those of you who are here today, you know who you are and just know Richard thought of you guys as legends.  Richard would share those stories to exemplify the risks they all took and wanted no recognition it was all just part of the job that he was willing and able to do.

Richard worked in the cage, timer crew, in the drift and the stope but his love underground was the open raise.  Some say it is the most difficult and challenging job in the mine…which again of course he was drawn to that challenge.  The only accolade that Richard ever displayed was the recognition trophy that he drove 5 miles of underground open raise.  Whenever Richard would talk about that incredible feat Rooke would jokingly say that's a lot of 6-foot rounds to make 5 miles eh???…. Richard's head would snap and his finger would wave EIGHT FOOT rounds!!!!  And if Rooke really wanted to wind him up he would remind him about the shift boss who told him his cut was drilled too light……...yea let's just say you never told Richard Pitura that his cut was drilled to light!!!!

Even last week when cleaning out the house Rooke discovered sheets of paper with drill patterns drawn up with written explanations of what pattern was needed depending on the type of ground.

People throw the word legend around or guys may debate who was the King Miner or the best of the best.  Though Rich would never say it himself he was way to humble…. BUT many miners have suggested he was the best raise miner that maybe ever lived!!!!! When asked what he thought about Rich would always say…." I had a lot of great partners along the way and wouldn't have been anything without them".

Richard's love of the mines in the early days was also about the sports teams the mines supported.  Or the legends like Mr. Cochenour or Stu Reid who did all they could to put out the best teams they could.   Who doesn't remember the great Dickenson fastball teams or Red Lake Rocket Hockey, guys getting jobs in the mine because they were top notch athletes. and then of course the classic rivalry between the Cambell Flyers and Dickenson Rich worked hard and played harder! He later became a fixture of the Red Lake Colts.  Eventually along with Phil Vinet they created the Village Hounds Fastball Club.

How lucky we were to have grown up in this town around the rinks and fields.  His family loved to watch him play!  All the families supported the teams it was truly awesome times.…such good memories!!!!

One legendary story was of a Saturday Rocket hockey game against Sioux Lookout.  Rich got into a fight and when asked why he fought the guy Rich simply replied, "he deserved it" and left it at that.   While skating off as he was out of the game Richard encountered another Sioux Lookout player who unlucky for him was within arm's reach and Rich grabbed him and fought him too!!! not done there right before he got off the ice there was a third guy and well he fought him as well!!!!  When all was said and done legend has it Rich was 3 and 0 and Sioux Lookout had three less players for the rest of that game.

Richard loved coaching and some guys like Jonny Barnesky and Josh still called him coach until his last days. From power skating, novice and juivenile hockey and every level in between.  To every level of ball imaginable, Teri reminded me that he even lead their ladies fastball team to a title.  In ball he coached us from little boys to young men……heck he still gave Rooke shit two summers ago that he didn't run a ground ball out!!!!! Rich was fair but firm coach.  He had high expectations not just to win but to play your hardest, be discipline both on and off the ice/field.  He really believed in the importance of his players being respectful and didn't tolerate anything other then full effort 100% of the time.  But he still took time to teach us values like when we were 17-20 maybe the Hounds were a young and cocky fastball team.  Rich brought in a bat boy who was none other then Derek Cains who was a young man who lived with Downs Syndrome.  This wasn't about pity or feeling sorry for someone.  Richard seen it as an opportunity to make Derek happy, to include somebody who otherwise wouldn't have experienced being on a fastball team.  As a serious as every game was to us and especially to Richard, Derek was given a few minutes every game in the huddle to give us his final instructions.  What life lessons we learned.  He was an embassader for inclusion without even knowing it.

Rooke would like to share some additional stories.

I have to share one story I think we were in Peewee and I'm sure it was in Dryden we had a really good team our Peewee Rangers team.  Oh how he loved that team and what we accomplished.  Anyhow we were out playing our opponent but were still losing 2-0 I think.  Period ends we go into the room and everyone knows what's coming, no doubt a garbage can is being kicked for sure, which it was……but in the middle of his tirade as he is demanding we capitalize on our chances he yells, and keep in mind he rarely if ever swore around us but he says " you guys couldn't score in a whore house with a fist full of fifties……I'm not sure if it was Dee Forsythe or Josh Cousineu we were also only 10-12 years old but they  raised their hand to get his attention and Rich said "yea what?", Dee or Josh says coach what's a whore house?......Rich yelled "it doesn't matter what it is just get out there and there and put the puck in the damn net!!!!!

His theory was that the best coaches most certainly aren't the most liked especially at the time……But I can tell you that in the last month I have heard from more people and players that credit him for instilling values in them that they have carried with them their whole lives.  So much love and support has been shared by his past players…. There is one group that has not reached and shared any love to Rich……That would be the referees and umpires!!!! They have been pretty quiet…..not sure what that is about.

Family was such a big thing for Rich,  He always stayed in touch with phone calls, birthday cards, x-mas cards and yes these past few years he was into cell phones and texting.  You ever see the size of his fingers trying to find the little keys on a cell phone, it was hilarious.  He always took the time to remain connected with his family and judging by the out pouring of support here today its no surprise how many have come from far and wide to honor him today.

Rich and Viv always supported whatever endeavors Holly, Teri and Rooke took on.  Whether it was coaching their teams, watching skating carnivals and solo nights which I might add he continued to attend long after the girls were done skating.  Mayor Fred can attest that Rich didn't miss too many he'd always report back on how Casey and Maddison his dear neighbor girls did.  Those girls held a special place in his heart.

I honestly think that there isn't a person who has lived in this community that has entered the Cochenour arena as much as him.  Since the day it was built and he was no doubt one of the guys wheel barrowing cement into it.  Until the last game he watched a few weeks ago a Red Lake Miners exhibition game he was so proud to watch his Grandson Reid play for the Miners.

Rich was no home body he took his support and hockey watching on the road.  He loved, loved, loved, watching his Grand kids play.  He traveled all-over North-Western Ontario, Manitoba and the States to watch Rooke and Candice's kids Jessica, Heidi and Reid.  His name Grampa Richie became a fixture on the backs of their jerseys as a sponsor.   Everyone knew and loved Grampa Richie as he was known all the kids called him that and he loved it.  During early morning practices he'd sneak down and drop a box of Timbits on the bench by the water bottles.  Can you imagine when he was coaching if someone ever did that while he was coaching???  But nobody questioned Grampa Richie.

What he did for one he did for the others as Rich was also a fixture at rinks all over Edmonton Alberta and BC to watch Teri and Nelson's children Matthew, Jillian and Sam he could rate every snack bar across the land and well he probably rated all the officials along the way as well.  The pinnacle for Grampa Richie's travelling hockey watching was when Oldest Grandson Matthew played for the Edmonton Junior Oilers in the famous Quebec Peewee Tournament where we aren't totally sure that it was verified but really believe that he probably holds the record for the greatest number of games watched in that single week.  That was the thing about Rich sure he was the #1 fan of his kids and grandkids but he loved watching all kids and made many friends along the way, he will be missed by many.

A classic Rich story involves him calling Teri over the years as I'm sure he called their daily for updates on the kids' day, sports scores etc.  Before he had a cell phone he would always dial the number and he actually dialed Teri's number wrong so many times the lady on the other end of that wrong number would recognize his number on caller ID and say, " oh Hi Richard wrong number again, you must be trying to reach your daughter again eh?  I imagine you are coming to Edmonton soon to watch the grandkids play hockey?  Eventually he got a cell phone and never dialed a wrong number but he would tell Rooke, " you know I wonder how that lady is doing who's number I called by mistake all those times.  I should call her up and say hello.  That was Richard as fierce of a competitor and miner he was, he was willing to befriend anyone.

We talked a lot about Rich the man, the miner, the player and coach etc.  Gotta say a little about Rich the hunter Viv would call him Elmer Fudd and he hated that!!!  I know had many hunting buddies over the years like Reg and Ronnie, Fritz, Irene, Susan and Emil.  But in the last 25 years or so it was with Gary, Clayton, Larry, Barny and John.  Myself and some buddies Chara, Penner and Troy.  Ian, Emma and even Granddaughter Heidi hunted with us the last couple years.  But before Rich started hunting with us he would joke that our idea of hunting was lowering the tail gate and driving around all but expecting one all but jumped in.   Truth be told we were just to hung over to really want to put in the work.  But when Rich came on board it was his hard work that led to a lot of success.  He spent more time cutting firewood, scouting for tracks, walking tree lines, ridges and clear cuts he was unbelievable.  And don't forget the tents and wood piles he'd set up to look like we were camped out in an attempt to keep the Southerners out…. But he'd get down one knee find a broken stick and draw out a plan, hey Reg we got to make a plan he'd say.  The harder the plan the more it seemed to satisfy him and would drive me nuts when he's say, hey its only a 3-5 mile buffer and we got one contained!!!!! But in all seriousness, he was a truly great hunter!!!! And Emma his favorite hunt of all was with you!

But my favorite stories is when Rich alongside Gary shot the infamous cow with horns remember that one Barney……. see the previous year Gary and Clayton shot two cows' problem was they only had one cow tag.  Much to Barny's shegrin Gary did the right thing it was an honest mistake and he called the MNR took his lumps and fine whatever.

The next year Rich and Gary were out and woah they see a moose this time Rich has a cow tag; he raised his rifle Gary looks through the binos yep, it's a cow…. Rich doesn't shoot.  Gary says let's be sure looks again yep, it's a cow, Rich says are you sure Gary we don't need a mistake like last year lets be totally sure.  Gary takes a third look says I'm sure it's a cow BOOM! Shot fired moose down those two were high fiving…. The two of them walk up and they can see the moose's head is propped up…. low and behold there was one tiny antler in the mud on the side they couldn't see.  Gary says oh no not again……Rich goes Gary my chest, I can't breathe I'm having pain in my chest….. Gary says never mind you old bugger don't die on me now and leave me with a fine two years in a row.  Luckily some hunting friends heard the nearby shot and came to check it out and they had a bull tag… Susan Hooper if you are here, I guess we still owe you one.