Rick (Rickey) Neil Symenuk

Rick (Rickey) Neil Symenuk passed away in Edmonton, AB on January 13th, 2026 at the age of 67. He lived a life on borrowed time, living and fighting several different cancers for decades. Anyone who knew Rick can easily attribute his success to his stubbornness (and his will to experience more from life). He passed away at the Cross Cancer Institute after a recent diagnosis of central nervous system lymphoma. Rick loved Starbucks Holiday Blend coffee, long (very very long) drives to the Yukon, and spending his August long weekends at the Blueberry Bluegrass Festival. He loved to be outside; whether that was going for walks through the University of Alberta farm, riding his bike through Edmonton’s river valley, or walking his daughter’s cat, Cinder. In recent years when he wasn’t driving his big truck, you could find him reading with CKUA radio playing in the background, learning new songs on guitar, or checking the Shibuya Crossing cameras online. He spent much of his recent free time helping his daughter, Paisly, with her house. He was a talented woodworker who planned to retire and build more often with a dog by his side. Rick enjoyed nearly all music — although Norah Jones never fell below the #1 spot on his list of favourite artists in over four decades. He remained an Edmonton Oilers hater until the day he died while “enjoying” 50+ years of Chicago Blackhawks' “success”. Close to his death, his love of banana split Blizzards, Campus Pizza, and his hate for the Oilers were used to make sure he was still there fighting. Rick will be remembered by family and friends in Canada and across the world. He is survived by his two daughters, Paisly and Bali; his father Pete, brother Tom (Bobbi), sister Bonnie (Brad), nieces Jamie, Nickole, Colleen, Melani, and Jenna; nephews Mitch, Darroll, and Tyson. He was predeceased by his sister Penny (Jim) and mother, Viola. Some of his friendships began in childhood and lasted until his death, others were more recently made. He corresponded with friends daily. Regardless of time, all his friends were important to him. He cherished the time spent with his daughters camping at Lake Diefenbaker, supervising (refereeing) cutthroat games of UNO and cribbage, judging paper-plate art competitions, and taking his nieces and nephews tubing. Honouring Rick’s wishes, there will be no traditional burial or formal service. Some of his ashes will be scattered in each of his favourite places and a tree will be planted in his memory.

Rick (Rickey) Neil Symenuk

April 30, 1958 - January 13, 2026