Dancer, community activist.
Born at Moosomin, Saskatchewan on 21 July 1928 to Willamena Jane McQuaker (1911-2005) and David Cormack (1908-1963), he moved with his family to Aberdeen, Scotland in 1932. As a young man, he joined a regiment of the British Army, the Gordon Highlanders, and served until he was discharged after the end of the Second World War.
In 1948, he immigrated to Toronto, Ontario with his future bride, Mary Davidson (1928-1994) of Aberdeen. There they raised their two children, while he enjoyed a 33-year career with the Scarborough Board of Education. Upon retiring in 1988, he moved to Dryden, Ontario to be closer to his mother and siblings. While there, he became involved with Toastmasters and continued his involvement with the Masonic Temple. It was back in Aberdeen that he had first been exposed to and became interested in Scottish Highland dancing. With the help and encouragement of his family, he was instrumental in forming the Dryden Scottish Dancers.
After his wife’s death in 1994, he met Winnipegger and fellow highland dancer, Joyce Beatrice Matheson (1942-2025). Their marriage brought him to Winnipeg, where they made their home in Transcona, and where he became involved in many organizations. He was a member of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society and of the local Toastmasters club; a retired member of the 48th Highlanders of Canada (rank of Sargeant); board member of the St. Andrews Society of Winnipeg; President of the Winnipeg Robert Burns Club (2009-2013); board member of Melrose Camp Sons of Scotland; Director of the Scottish Heritage Council of Manitoba; Co-chair of the Tartan Day committee; and lifetime member of the Masonic Temple.
Together with Joyce, he enjoyed the activities and social events Scottish Highland dancing provided, annual dance trips, and Robbie Burns parties.
He died at Winnipeg on 3 March 2013.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 5 March 2013.
“Richard Lawrence Cormack,” Hastings Clan, Ancestry.
Obituary [Joyce Beatrice Cormack], Winnipeg Free Press, 6 September 2025.
This page was prepared by Lois Braun.
Page revised: 28 October 2026
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