'Gentle giant' mourned
Outpouring of support for environmental steward Doug Ritchie who died after brief battle with cancer
Cody Punter
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, January 14, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Yellowknife is mourning the loss of environmentalist, activist and beloved community member Doug Ritchie.
France Benoit and Doug Ritchie share their 50th birthdays at a party organized by Benoit's family in Quebec two years ago. - photo courtesy of France Benoit |
The six-foot-four, 52-year-old, who many remembered as a "gentle giant," died peacefully with his wife, France Benoit, at his side at Stanton Territorial Hospital on Saturday night, a little more than a month after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
While the news that Ritchie didn't have long to live came as a shock to Benoit in December, she said the outpouring of support over the last month helped both she and her husband cope with the reality they faced.
"His death brought us together," she said. "It was a beautiful experience."
"It's just a shocking loss," said Mayor Mark Heyck, who was one of many people to visit Ritchie in hospital. "He was an incredible person and one of the most active and engaged citizens this city has ever had."
Ritchie first came to the North in the summer of 1987, when he travelled to Fort McPherson to work as a lifeguard. In 1996 he moved to Yellowknife where he quickly became involved with Ecology North as a volunteer. After working for the GNWT for several years, in 2004 he quit to work for Ecology North full time.
Although he remained a board member at Ecology North until his death, in 2011 he left his position as senior program manager to work as a special projects co-ordinator for the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. During his seven years at Ecology North, Ritchie helped transform the organization from a small volunteer-based network into a widely recognized NGO with several fully-funded positions.
"He led the charge on a lot of initiatives," said Ecology North founder and Weledeh MLA Bob Bromley, who became friends with Ritchie during their time together at the organization in the late 1990s.
"It goes without saying that he will be dearly missed."
Among Ritchie's many accomplishments were setting up the plate-washing service at Folk on the Rocks to cut food vendors reliance on styrofoam and paper plates. On top of being known as "the guy riding the bike" at the dish-washing station, Ritchie helped promote all kinds of projects: from active transportation and trail improvements in the city (most recently through his public support for a sidewalk from Niven to the downtown) to promoting environmental education for young children in partnership with local schools. He also travelled extensively throughout the NWT hosting workshops and promoting alternative energy. He also became famous for his clotheslines, which he would help set up in the backyards of friends and strangers alike to lessen their dependence on dryers.
"He just wanted to make a difference," said Craig Scott, executive director of Ecology North.
One of the things which Doug was the most passionate about was reducing carbon emissions. Throughout his career he argued for the implementation of a carbon tax in the NWT in order to combat the effects of climate change.
"He really believed the North was being impacted (by climate change) and he wanted to something about it," said Scott.
Ritchie's desire to see positive change effected in the world is what led him to run for MLA in 2007, Benoit said.
"He truly believed in running for office - that you had to put yourself out there and challenge ideas," she said.
As much as he saw the need to make a difference on a large scale, Ritchie was always looking for ways to make a difference wherever he could.
"If there was construction on the road that caused delays, or if he saw people idling their car in town, he would politely, and with much diplomacy, ask if they wouldn't mind turning off their engines," remembered close friend Laurie Sarkandi, who used to carpool with her Ingraham Trail neighbour on a regular basis. "Idling cars really irked him."
On top of being a dedicated environmentalist, Ritchie was also a staunch believer in social justice and saw the two concepts as inextricably linked. For the past few years he sat on the board of the Yellowknife Health and Social Services Authority in addition to being involved with Alternatives North. According to Benoit, Ritchie was so excited when he heard that FOXY had been awarded a $1 million grant that he was moved to tears.
"For him issues around young women were very important," Benoit said.
Up until he was taken into hospital four days before his death, Benoit said Ritchie was intent on meeting with as many people as possible, to the point where his bed was moved into their living room at their house on Madeline Lake to let him hold court with visitors from all walks of life.
"Doug saw his passing as the passing the touch," said Benoit, adding that above all she hoped Ritchie would be remembered for his impeccable integrity.
In order to honour his life and activism, Benoit said plans are currently underway to set up an environmental stewardship fund in Ritchie's name, with the intent of supporting environmental advocacy in the NWT.
Ritchie's funeral will be held in Kelowna, B.C, where his ashes will eventually be scattered as per his request, sometime next week. Benoit added that there will be a celebration of his life in Yellowknife sometime in the late winter or early spring.
As Benoit's e-mail inbox continues to fill up with message of support, she asked anyone interested in donating money in his name to do so either through Ecology North or the YWCA.
Ritchie is survived by siblings Michael Ritchie, Bruce Ritchie, and JoAnne Ritchie, as well as mother, Lyn Ritchie.
