Obituary of RYSZARD “RICHARD� OSICKI

OSICKI RYSZARD "RICHARD" JAN 1946 to 2012 Richard Osicki, original thinker, philosopher, journalist and teacher died in the early morning of October 29th. He was born in Nottingham, England, the son of Jan Osicki and Maria Makowska, who were Polish veterans after the Second World War. His heritage inspired him all his life. Richard was raised in Montreal and went to the University of Montreal, Loyola College where he earned a degree in Philosophy and Political Science. Later he acquired a Masters in Theology from the University of Dayton. His passions throughout life were three. In his own words "I did not decide to take up teaching. Rather I was drawn to it, along with the other two paths I have travelled throughout my career, communications and religion." He was a journalist and media producer, working at CBC radio as a documentary maker and as executive producer of the program Identities. He was a constant mentor to many involved in media over the years including today. He was communications director at Nortel at the dawn of the digital era, and his thoughts about that new frontier were profound and influential. He invented the term "intelligent universe". He was also a media consultant throughout his life. After moving to Winnipeg he was employed by the Catholic Archdiocese of Winnipeg as spokesperson and communication director for the Catholic Church. Richard has lectured at Concordia University, The Canadian Mennonite University, and most recently, the University of Manitoba, St. Paul’s College. He established the Communications and Media program at Providence College. At the time of his death he was the Director of The Marshal McLuhan Initiative at St. Paul’s. And there, he said, his three paths merged. "I have been blessed to be able to explore with others why and how people communicate their faith to others. That is the underlying question we are addressing through the Marshall McLuhan Initiative. Richard leaves his beloved wife, Dionisia Roman-Osicki after far too short a time. He is survived by his mother, Maria, his son Tobiasz, his brother George, Ph.D (R), his two cats Nelson and Cheebs and many many friends upon whom he had a major influence and who loved him very much. A prayer service / visitation will be held at St. Vital Parish, 1629 Pembina Hwy., on November 5th at 7:00 p.m. The funeral mass is on November 6th at 10:00 a.m. at St Vital Parish. Reception at the Cropo Funeral Chapel will follow the interment at Holy Ghost Cemetery.