Richard Mackenzie Lay

Richard Mackenzie Lay, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, community member, and renowned engineer, passed away peacefully in Revelstoke, BC on November 13, 2024, after living fully and bravely with cancer. He passed surrounded by loved ones in his beautifully renovated Revelstoke home, his final project.

Born in Montreal, QC on December 27th 1949 to Harry Morison Lay and Margaret Adele Thompson. Richard will be forever loved and missed by his wife Lee Wisener, daughter Adele Lay, son Lyon Lay, son-in-law Sam Rousselle, daughter-in-law Magnolia Kai, grandchildren Zoya and Ellie Rousselle-Lay, siblings Helen Kucey. Janet Hardy, Alison Thornton, and Harry Lay, and many more family and friends.

Richard lived most of his adult life in the small, tight-knit Southern Ontario hamlet of Eden Mills, where he was deeply involved in volunteering in the community, most recently designing a major energy retrofit of the historic community hall that significantly increased comfort and reduced heating costs to a fraction of what they had been. In 2022, Richard and Lee sold their home of 42 years and moved to Revelstoke to be close to the grandchildren and to seek the next adventure.

Richard held many professional roles throughout his life, principally as a renowned mechanical engineer primarily at Enermodal Engineering consulting firm, designing high performance and environmentally responsible commercial and industrial buildings, many of which received awards and acclaim for advancing the field of energy efficiency and building science.

In 2011, Richard Lay (BSc (Eng) '77) received the University of Guelph Engineering Medal of Achievement, which was "the highest honour awarded by the School and recognizes alumni whose contributions to the community, engineering, education, business, and industry are so significant that they bring honour to their alma mater and fellow alumni. The award recognizes lifetime achievement or sustained commitment to excellence." Richard also won the Energy Globe World Award in 2011 for his lead role in mechanical design for the Drake Landing Solar Community project, which competed among 1,000 other projects in 100 countries for the award.

On behalf of Enermodal Engineering, Richard and a colleague accepted the Tree for Life Award from the Canadian Consulting Engineering Awards, which recognized Richard's leading role in environmental stewardship as demonstrated in the mechanical-electrical design of the new Kitchener headquarters for Enermodal Engineering.

Richard lived a full life, pursuing many sports and outdoor adventures, diligently raising two children with Lee, and contributing tirelessly to his local communities. As a founder of the Eden Mills Jackrabbit ski club and coach to the University of Guelph ski team, he taught a village of kids and young adults to cross country ski. He coached Lyon's soccer teams for many years, leading some to win the final tournaments. Richard's passion for cycling took him on many bike touring trips throughout Canada, the USA, Columbia, Cuba and Italy, and recently, he helped advocate for better bike commuting infrastructure in Revelstoke

Among the children he encountered, Richard was known for his unforgettable rendition of Donald Duck, especially singing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. He had a distinct intelligence, sense of humour, playfulness, and story telling style. His whimsical nature was often expressed in his metal sculptures. He will be greatly missed. There could never be enough of Richard Lay.

A celebration of life will be held for him in the Spring 2025 in Eden Mills, ON.