Obituary

Obituary of Richard Bill Jackman

After a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease, at University Hospital, London, Ontario on January 9, 2025, Richard Samuel Jackman passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family.

Richard was born on December 1, 1947 to Frank (1981) and Marjorie Jackman (2013) in San Juan, Trinidad WI. He attended and graduated from St Mary’s College (Port-Of-Spain) in 1966 and went on to study Civil Engineering at McGill University (Montreal, Canada) where he obtained a Bachelor of Engineering Degree with First Class Honours in 1972. He later went on to obtain a Diploma in the Economics of Public Utilities from Iowa State, an MBA from California Western and a Diploma in Strategic Planning from North Western University.

He was the recipient of many academic awards, including: The Ernest Brown Gold Medal for demonstrating the highest academic ability throughout the Undergraduate program, The Robert Forsythe Prize in Civil Engineering for gaining 1st place in Structural Design, the

N.R.C. Graduate Studies Scholarship in Engineering, the Charles Michael Morrison Scholarship for Excellence in Engineering, the Oresta Engineers’ Scholarship for Excellence in Mechanics and the E.G.M. Cape Scholarship for Excellence in Structural Engineering.

Richard will be dearly missed by his devoted and loving wife of 55 years, Nancy (Berger), his children Steven (Lana-Lisa) Jackman, Elizabeth (Todd) Hansen and Paul (Jeana) Jackman, his grandchildren Seth, Solomon, Michaela, Ysabel, Adrianna and Effie Rose, his siblings Rose Jackman, Trevor (Madeleine) Jackman, Shirley Worrell, David Jackman, Marie Galloway, Betty (John) Garland, Lydia (Allan) Mendonca, Anthony (Ena) Jackman, Frank (Helen) Jackman, Camille (Moe) Lloyd and Stephen (Kareema) Jackman, many cousins, nieces and nephews and friends. He is predeceased by his sister Margaret Ryan (2017).

Richard held various positions with many different companies during his working life, most notably Bell Canada, where he handled Engineering Supervision of various projects in Facilities Development, Economic Studies, Technology Development and Facilities Expansion, the National Energy Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago where he was Divisional Manager, Information and Communications Systems, the Trinidad and Tobago Telephone Company (TELCO) where he was General Manager, Technical Operations, Trinidad Cement Limited (T.C.L.) where he was Managing Director and ANSA McAL Group (one of the largest conglomerates in the Caribbean) where he acted as Chief Executive Officer.

During his active years in Trinidad and Tobago, he also served as Chairman of Readymix Limited, the Arawak Cement Company, Carib Glass Limited, Quesnel-Scott Limited and the Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago. He was also Vice-Chairman of the Public

Transport Service Corporation, an Executive member of the Steering Committee for the Computerisation of the Transport Division Systems and a Member of the Steering Committee for the Implementation of Radar Systems for Trinidad and Tobago.

Fondly referred to as “Cardos” by his many friends. He loved playing cards and travelling to play golf with friends. He was a freemason and served as Master of the Daniel Hart Lodge.

He was his wife’s biggest supporter in her music career and in his last years got the most enjoyment out of listening to her play the piano on her daily visits to the nursing home.

The family would like to thank EMS and University Hospital emergency staff in London who attended Richard in his ﬁnal moments. Also, many thanks to Dr. Mary Jenkins, MD, FRCPC for her many years of counsel and support and the entire staff of McGarrell Place LTC who cared for Richard over the past 8 years.

Cremation has taken place, and a service will take place at Trinity Lutheran Church in London (date to be determined). A Masonic service and Celebration of Life will take place in Trinidad at a later time.