Former McCauley resident, Richard Auclair, died September 10, 2025 in Dawson City, Yukon, at the age of 79. He lived in McCauley for 31 years before he moved to the Yukon in 2012. 

Richard was an active volunteer with the Boyle McCauley News for 17 years (from 1989 until 2006) writing articles and letters, and bundling each issue for delivery to carriers. But he is best known for coordinating the paper’s delivery in McCauley and delivering each issue to homes.

A volunteer profile in the October 1989 issue stated, “Richard has been regularly delivering the paper to 5 blocks this past year. Sometimes, when we are short of paper carriers on other blocks due to people being sick, out of town or having quit, Richard has pitched in to deliver up to 8 blocks of papers.”

I met Richard in the summer of 1985, at his rooming house residence, while doing a door-to-door survey on behalf of the McCauley Community League. We quickly became good friends.

Richard was born in Chambley, Quebec, and moved to Edmonton in May 1981. He told me, “I came by bus to Edmonton from Calgary, and as soon as I saw the river valley and the city skyline, I liked it.”

Due to various health problems, Richard was on a limited income through Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH). He liked that McCauley had a couple of grocery stores and everything he needed was nearby.

Richard’s volunteer involvement coincided with his move to a new affordable, safe, and secure housing project at 9532 107A Avenue. He lived there from the day it opened until he moved to the Yukon. The building, owned by Right at Home Housing Society, is now known as Auclair Manor.

A visit to his place was evidence of his love of painting and the artist Picasso, as his own reproductions lined the walls of his home. Richard was known for his hospitality and generosity.

An email from the lodge where he lived the last 10 years said it best: “He was just the kindest soul with the most wonderful eccentricities and so thoughtful. The team is forever thankful that your visits gave us a glimpse of who Richard was before he had to come into care: the artist and music lover. If there is an afterlife, I’m sure he is engaged in conversation or singing with the music.”

Harvey Voogd lived in McCauley from October 1984 until March 1997 and was involved with the paper as a board member, writer, and carrier. He lives in Delton and is the Executive Director of Edmonton Youth Justice.