Richard James Fiennes-Clinton
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Richard on Saturday, August 23rd, 2025.
Beloved son of Henry B. Fiennes-Clinton and Carol P. Stark, brother of Rev. Greg Fiennes-Clinton (Sharon), Shannon Stark (Ricardo), beloved uncle of Kayleigh – and friend to many.
For decades Richard has shared his passion for history, particularly Toronto history, with many. This was chiefly done through his business, Muddy York Walking Tours, but also through his work at City of Toronto Museums, as well as through historical talks given in various other venues.
He was the author of Muddy York: A History of Toronto Until 1834 and was working on another book at the time of his passing. As well, he was an accomplished visual artist.
Richard’s passion for history, his sense of humour, and his love for family and friends will be greatly missed by all whose lives he impacted.
Funeral service was held at St. Jude’s Wexford Anglican Church on Saturday, August, 30th, 2025.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to The City of Toronto Museums or The Anglican Diocese of Toronto.
We were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Richard, who for many years guided my students on unforgettable walking tours through Toronto.
Richard had a gift for bringing the city’s stories to life. My classes returned from those tours not only more knowledgeable about the city but also more connected to the world around them.
The impact he had on my students’ learning and their appreciation for Toronto will be felt for years to come.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.
Richard was a truly important figure in the field of Toronto history. He will be greatly missed. I am sending condolences on behalf of the North York Historical Society.
I was so saddened to learn of the passing of Richard.
He was a brilliant speaker with insurmountable knowledge of our great City of Toronto.
As Events Coordinatior for the Tour Guide Association of Toronto I had the privilege of meeting and having him speak at our meetings where everyone sat spellbound as he related such great stories of our Toronto history , thus helping our tour guides to present more knowledgeable and interesting Toronto tours to our many visitors!
He will be missed greatly!
No doubt he is captivating the angels
in heaven with his wonderful stories!!
Rest in Peace Richard!
I am shocked by this news. RIP
Dear Friend,
While I will remember you, I will never forget the impact you had on me. I pursued my interest in Toronto History thanks to a fateful chat we had many years ago. It’s with fondness, adminration and respect that I remember you.
I am saddened and shocked by Richard’s passing. I began taking my students on his tours of old Toronto. I was just reminiscing with a former colleague and looking at pics of the tour. Was hoping to book again when I found out he had passed. He was well versed in his knowledge of Toronto but he was more importantly a caring person. He will be missed.
I met Richard about 30 years ago, before he had started his walking tours. I had the pleasure of being invited to his first “practice” walking tours, where he took a group of us from the workplace on tours to ensure that his performance was well polished. Over the years, we always made time to see each other. Often, we would meet for lunch or dinner, walk around, and he would share his insights into Toronto’s historical sights. He was an outstanding communicator, gifted at bringing history to life, and a very good friend. Rest in peace, Richard.
Rest in Peace my Friend… I hope you get to meet some of the historical figures you taught me about on tours and on line during the pandemic. You were such an animated, knowledgeable man. You will be missed by many but your Legacy lives on by all those you touched by sharing your stories. Farewell.
So sad to hear of Richard’s passing! He was a delightful soul! And a good friend to our son Daryl!
I first met Richard through The Monarchist League of Canada (Toronto Branch). HIs support of the monarchy was great, his knowledge of the subject was great.
Over the years we lost contact with each other (I aways got a Christmas card from him). The last time I saw Richard was at a United Empire Loyalist of Canada meeting (Simcoe Branch).
Richard thanks for the memories, Thanks for alouding me to be part of your circle.
Rest in peace.
I met Richard on August 14th/2025 for the first time…I have a passion for The War of 1812…he gave me a tour at Fort York…we hit it off talking about history and how he was researching a Toronto man who was on the Titanic…we agreed to become friends on FB..and sadly he is gone…I didn’t know Richard very well however for the time I got to know him he was a complete gentleman and very passionate about Toronto and its history..he obviously will be missed by each persons life he touched as he did mine..I am so sorry that he has passed but not for gotten.
I am so saddened to hear about Richard’s passing. I was the Marketing & Communications Manager for the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre for many years and worked with him when he became one of our volunteers. Richard took part in many of our activities including Halloween events, Kidsummer, Doors Open and in particular as a public and group tour guide. He was always enthusiastic, eager and truly dedicated. He would even stop in front of the theatre when he began his Muddy York Tours and gave his guests a brief history of the building. He genuinely cared about Toronto, its rich history and sharing his incredible knowledge and zeal to those who wished to be enlightened. I know he was very highly thought of and well respected by all of our volunteers and staff. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
I never met Richard in person but through our common interest in Toronto History we engaged in many facebook chats. I will miss Richard and our facebook chats. My thoughts are with Richards family. Richard will be missed by many.
I am in a state of shock. I’ve taken several of his tours and enjoyed chatting with him on Facebook. He will be missed.
Rest in peace, buddy. I miss you already.
On behalf of everyone at Toronto’s First Post Office and the Town of York Historical Society, we extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and many admirers of Richard Fiennes-Clinton.
Richard was a cherished collaborator and a beloved figure in our community. Through his many programs and events, he brought history to life with passion, warmth, and an incredible depth of knowledge. His contributions to our organization and to the broader historical community in Toronto were immeasurable. Whether leading walking tours, delivering talks, or engaging with visitors of all ages, Richard had a rare gift for making the past feel vibrant and relevant.
Beyond his professional contributions, we will remember Richard for his kindness, generosity, and the genuine joy he brought to every interaction. His presence will be profoundly missed, but his legacy will continue to inspire us and those who were fortunate enough to learn from him.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Toronto’s First Post Office & the Town of York Historical Society
I met Richard in 2002 when he was leading a ghost walk as part of the U of T’s 175th anniversary celebration. I’ve been on many of Richard’s walks and attended many of his talks since then. They were always interesting, entertaining, and I always learned something new. My condolences to Richard’s family. He will be missed.
Richard was very knowledgeable of the history of Toronto and I thoroughly enjoyed his lectures.
I will miss him greatly.
My husband, Roger and I knew Richard for over 30 years as a dear friend. Such a shock! He will be missed by so many he touched with his caring attitude, his sense of humour, and the great historical tours and presentations he gave. Not only was he an author and artist, he was quite knowledgeable, especially about Toronto. Rest in peace, dear friend. You will be sadly missed.
Shocked by the news. Richard was a towering figure in the sharing of the Toronto story. We had great conversations. He will be missed. Toronto is a city of storytellers and Richard was the best! My condolences to his family.
I continue to be in shock over the loss of my good friend Richard.
I knew Richard for almost 30 years. I first met him when I had the opportunity to go on a trip to the UK along with our mutual friend Ben. Richard and I immediately connected. His quirky sense of humour and his passion for history were what I appreciated the most!
We had many, many good times together. Over the last few days, memories of the fun we had together keep popping up in my mind. Some of these things I haven’t thought about in years!
To Richard’s family – I’m so very sorry for your loss. Richard was one of a kind. He will be sorely missed.
God bless you my friend.
I am shocked by the news of Richards passing. So sad. For many years I enjoyed Richards walks, presentations at
Leaside Heritage & Yonge/Eglinton community center & tours at the Toronto Museums. A great loss.
I have known Richard for many years – his presentations were fabulous. Being a Toronto-born I learned so much about my lovely city – especially about when it was York. I was born during the 100th year of York/Toronto.
Richard will be greatly missed as he was a caring person & friend to all.
I was a visitor at Delmanor when I first met Richard where he was having his presentation on Muddy York and thereafter I met him again at my Senior Group where he was having another of his presentation of Muddy York. His knowledge on the city of Toronto was amazing and with the very old pictures of old Toronto in early 1900s spoke a thousand words. Was Toronto like that??? We shall surely miss.
My condolences go out to his family. Rest in Peace Richard.
I had the wonderful fortune of attending several of Richard’s tours and learning so much from his as a fellow Toronto tour guide. His passion for history was contagious and he was a truly gifted storyteller. My condolences and love to his family and friends and all who were touched by him.
From Elizabeth Ridler
He will be greatly missed. He just presented a talk to our seniors group and I was looking forward to more.
It’s still hard to believe. I’m grateful I had the opportunity to get to know Richard and to have worked with him at the CNE. His warmth, enthusiasm, and wonderful storytelling made every tour special. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.
His passion for local history was truly inspiring and as a guide I learned a lot from him. My condolences to his family and all that knew him.
So sorry hearing this. I knew Richard many years and often took Richard’s tours. I have often asked Richard about Toronto’s history always had the answer.I also volunteered with Richard at the Elgin Winter Garden that is where we met.
So sorry to hear of Richard’s passing. May his family and friends be comforted. He was a kind and gentle soul.
My daughter & I met Richard in November 2006 as we were outside the Elgin & WinterGarden taking photos of old Toronto theatres. Richard asked if we were there for the tour, and we said ‘Why not?’. We became close friends with Richard who was always so very good with both of my daughters. I managed this website for Richard and enjoyed both his tours and his company for close to 20 years. We will miss him terribly. Richard always went out of his way to see us whenever he could. Rest in Peace my friend.
I am absolutely shocked and saddened by Richard’s passing. I have worked with him for over 10 years as he delivered incredible history presentations at Delmanor. He was always captivating, passionate about history and everyone loved him. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, he will surely be missed by us all at Delmanor.
Such sad news. I did many tours with Richard over the years and learned and saw so much because of him.