Richard Joseph Tssessaze was one of a family of eight siblings to grow up in Lac Brochet, MB. He graduated from Grant Park High School in June, 1994. Richard began dating his partner Lavinia in the summer of 1994. They had their daughtersBrianna in 1995, Jillian in 1996, and moved to Brandon on August, 1998. They had daughter Bianca in 2001 and son Ryker in 2008. They raised their children in Brandon, MB. At the time of his disappearance, Richard and Lavinia’s children were aged 13, 12, 7, and 1. He had so much love for his children.
Richard graduated with both a Bachelor of General Studies and a Bachelor of Education, completing his education in 2006 from Brandon University. Upon completing his teaching degree, he taught in Dillon, SK; Jackhead, MB; and Garden Hill, MB. At the time of his disappearance he was a band councillor with Northlands First Nation in Lac Brochet, MB.
Richard’s hobbies were learning how to play the guitar and singing. He loved singing.
One of the goals that he had for himself was to become a dentist. One month before his disappearance he spoke about applying to Bachelor of Sciences (Dentistry) at the University of Manitoba. He excelled in sciences and those were his favorite subjects in school. Lavinia expressed what she admired about him: he never gave up and when he wouldn’t understand something in his courses he would request tutors.
Richard Joseph Tssessaze, aged 37 at the time of his disappearance, has been missing since June 26, 2009 and was last seen around St. Regis Hotel in downtown Winnipeg, MB.
