Obituary:
OTA member Frederick ‘Rick’ Brien Gladman recently passed away after a long and valiant battle with cancer, fighting with heart, often a smile, and a zest for life. Rick passed away peacefully in hospital in his hometown of Burlington with his long-time friend and life partner, Susan, at his side. He was 79.
OTA passes along its condolences to Rick’s family and friends.
Employed for years in the trucking world, Rick retired four years ago from Old Republic Insurance Co. Hamilton, Ont. in the Risk Management capacity for cross country border trucking.
Rick was a dear and loving partner to Susan Smith and their two standard Schnauzers Winston and Sophie of Burlington, ON. Loving father/father-in-law and grandfather (Papa) to Cameron, Cindy (DiZio), Mia and Mason of Brooklyn, ON and Cory, Jodie (Allison), Nate and Georgia of Sudbury, ON Dear brother to Martha and the late David Clarke of Montagaillard, France, formerly of Toronto ON.
He is remembered by his sons as being ‘quiet and kind’. “Always patient, whether teaching us to drive a golf ball or a manual transmission. Loved to share with us his knowledge of politics, racing and baseball. We will miss you Dad.”
When he retired at 75, he returned to school and successfully completed and passed the Law Bar to become a Paralegal – a longtime dream of his.
He enjoyed his hobbies of building his model train railways, being a community actor with Binbrook Little Theatre, as well as other theatres in the area.
His great passion was the love of his corvettes and the hours of cruising. He held the position of President and Past President for many years with the Niagara Corvette Club in St, Catharines, ON.
There will be a private ceremony held by the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation in Rick’s memory to the charity of your choice.