Richmond Characters
Cranberry farmers, philanthropists, athletes, comedians – Richmond is full of extraordinary characters. One of the best ways to understand this vibrant city is by getting to know the people who live and work in Richmond and Steveston Village. Here is a list of some of the most fascinating Richmond residents, both past and present.
Media interviews may be possible. Please contact Michelle Dunn for further information:
Michelle Dunn
Director of Communications
Dir: 604-821-5481
Email: mdunn@tourismrichmond.com
www.tourismrichmond.com
www.allinrichmond.com
Rick Hansen
Richmond’s own Man In Motion is recognized around the planet for his 1985 journey that made history. Propelling his wheelchair through 34 countries on four continents, for over 40,000km, Rick battled the elements and the odds. He wheeled the equivalent of three marathons a day to return home in 1987. His Man In Motion World Tour raised awareness of the potential of people with disabilities and $26 million for spinal cord injury. It also inspired people around the world to believe in their own potential, their own hopes and their own dreams. Rick’s Tour made us all think about what we could do to make the world a better place. Rick now resides in Richmond with his family. He is a passionate sturgeon fisherman and champions protection of sturgeon – an endangered species of giant fish that inhabit waters of the Fraser River surrounding Richmond.
Alexa Loo
For Richmond snowboarder Alexa Loo, 2010 has already been a great year – and she’s hoping it’s about to get better. She’s newly engaged, she’s fresh off of the best result of her World Cup career (a silver medal in a parallel giant slalom at Kreischberg), and she’s about to compete in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games in her home province. Alexa’s been "adopted" by students at Steveston’s Tomekichi Tomma elementary school and Richmond’s Kin’s Farm Market has become a sponsor, offering customers reusable ‘Alexa Bags.’ Thousands have been sold. All of Richmond is rallying behind this hometown hero. Go Alex Go!
Shirley Gustaffson
Many people don’t realize that the first official Paralympic Games weren’t until the 1960 Summer Games in Rome. So when Richmond resident Shirley Gustaffson competed in the 1948 London Olympics, she did so against able bodied athletes – despite having a club foot. Shirley placed an impressive 10th-place. Now 82-years-old, Shirley represented Canada carrying the Paralympic torch in the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Summer Games. Shirley is an active member of the Richmond Sprit of BC Committee, which promotes Olympic spirit within community. She has spoken to more than 3,000 school-aged children about her Olympic experience and the significance of Olympic spirit. Shirley often brings her torch from Beijing to her speaking engagements so that the students can have their chance to run with the torch. To top off her list of impressive accomplishments, Shriley is still very active. You’ll often find her playing tennis or coaching curling.
Peter Dhillon
When you think of Richmond, what comes to mind? Perhaps the word ‘cranberries’ isn’t front of mind, but it should be. These little red gems, which are one of the few commercially grown fruits that are native to North America, are Richmond’s top agricultural crop. There are more than 60 family-owned cranberry farms in Richmond, the majority of which are part of the Ocean Spray Cooperative. Richmond’s Richberry Farms has been farming cranberries for 32 years and is the largest producer of cranberries in Canada. At the company’s helm is Peter Dhillon, president of Richberry Farms. His father, Rashpal Dhillon, founded Richberry Farms in 1978 after working 24 years in law enforcement. Peter grows between six and nine million kilograms of cranberries on 650 acres of B.C. farmland and sells all that fruit to Ocean Spray. When Vancouver Magazine released its December 2007 list of the 50 most powerful people in B.C., Peter was ranked No. 32. In addition to being passionate about cranberries, Peter is a corporate board member at the Vancouver International Airport Authority, CanWel Building Materials Ltd. and Ocean Spray. He’s also a former board member with VANOC, and is very active in raising funds for the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and its Right To Play programs.
Kyle Hamilton
Oh, Canada! Born and raised in Richmond, Kyle Hamilton was the Captain of Canada's Men Eight Rowing Team which won gold in Beijing. Kyle was also a member of University of BC rowing Program, which has produced numerous Olympic and world champions. The UBC Rowing Program is now based in Richmond on the banks of the Fraser River, just upriver from the iconic Richmond Olympic Oval.
Wayne Duzita
On a visit to Richmond, the city’s gorgeous scenery isn’t the only thing that may take your breath away – you may also be left breathless by the sight of a certain vintage red T-Bird convertible. Even non-car types can’t help but admire this lipstick red dream car that belongs to Richmond resident Wayne Duzita. Wayne has provided tremendous service to the community of Richmond for many years. He has an extensive background of community and professional service, including being the long-time chair of Canuck Place Children’s Hospital Foundation and co-founder of YVR Golf For Kids. Wayne now represents Richmond on the board of the 2010 Games Operating Trust, which is responsible for administering funds set aside to support the ongoing operations of key 2010 Olympic Winter Games venues, including the Richmond Olympic Oval. He served on the recent TransLink Review Panel and has fulfilled numerous roles with the Richmond Chamber of Commerce in addition to many other business professional and charitable activities. A Richmond resident, Wayne has been married to wife Georgia for 40 years and has two adult children.
Ryan Stiles
Why did the chicken cross the road? Former Richmond resident and world-famous comedian Ryan Stiles
is sure to know the answer. Before moving on to projects such as The Drew Carey Show, Whose Line Is It Anyway?, and Two and a Half Men, Ryan attended Richmond High School. He even held the not-so-funny job of delivering papers for The Richmond Review newspaper. Ryan’s mother is still a Richmond resident and she must have grown even prouder of her witty son when he recently returned to perform a benefit show at Richmond's Gateway Theatre for her church.
Other Richmond residents, past and present:
• Aaron Ashmore, actor
• Bill Vander Zalm, former Premier of British Columbia
• Bjarni Tryggvason, astronaut
• Bobby Singh, professional CFL football player with the BC Lions
• Brent Seabrook, professional NHL hockey player with the Chicago Blackhawks
• Brittany Tiplady, teen actress
• Charlotte Diamond, Juno-winning children's singer
• Chris Haslam, professional skateboarder
• Coco Rocha, Canadian supermodel
• Gary Fung, founder and administrator of the BitTorrent index site isohunt
• Harvey Lowe, winner of the first World Yo-Yo Contest in 1932
• J.D. Frazer, cartoonist
• Jason Jordan, striker for the Vancouver Whitecaps
• Jason Jordan, striker for the Vancouver Whitecaps
• Kyle Hamilton, Gold medal-winning Olympic rower
• Nicki Clyne, actress
• Scott Hannan, professional NHL hockey player with the San Jose Sharks
• Shawn Ashmore, actor
• Sherry Fraser, curler
• Sisi Wang, Canadian model and contestant on Canada's Next Top Model
Tucked into the southwest corner of Richmond is Steveston Village, one of the oldest settlements in the province. This picturesque fishing village is famous for its canneries – and its quirky characters. Here’s a list of just a few. Please contact Tourism Richmond (contact details below) for more information on Steveston’s eccentric characters.
• Bob Baziuk, Steveston Harbour Authority
• Edith Turner, Steveston Village Museum
• Jim Kojima, Steveston Community Centre
• Tara Elston, Pajo’s Fish & Chips
• Ken Iaci – Papi’s Restorate Italiano
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