You know I’m sad and all of our friends that got to experience your friendship are sad that you’re gone but you know what?
I’m pretty sure that what we all shared was special. That brotherhood of intense friendship and living life to the fullest and squeezing every last ounce of what life had to offer. Ricky was everyone’s friend, he was a natural born leader and where he led we were all sure to have the best of times.
I could never have dreamed of a tighter crew, always there for each other, always pursuing the fruit of life, laughter and fun.
They can’t take those things from us. They could take your body but you imparted that spirit in all of us. The spirit and will to pursue the fun in life. I’m sure we’ll all agree that that spirit will live on in us as a testament to what we all had in our youth and that we learned from the leader of the pack, the elder statesman- Ricky.
What I’d give for one more game of volleyball with the steak tips on the grill. One more rip around the Cape on the Mako, one more EPIC 3rd of July party with The Catalina’s wailing away- “My Heart Don’t Feel Too Safe I Need Protection!”, “Fire In The Hole!”, one More Fiesta “Slice! you ruined my “shirt!, one more run into Boston at 11:30PM because we could catch last call, one more reggae concert at Hammond Castle, one more overnighter on the back side of Cranes, one more dinner at The Columbia House, one more spring training game “Nomar’s Bettah!”, one more Sunday watching football with the fire stoked in the room overlooking the breakwater, one more guys trip.
Oh what I’d give. We lived it-all of us brothers, and even if those things never happen again they can never take those memories from us- when we were kings.
Love you man
And to all my other brothers and you know who you are, I Love You Too
The spirit will never die
“I think I see a rainbow people” (those of you who get that reference I’m sure you’re smiling through your tears)
Good Morning Gloucester 
Joey, you have given us a gift that is priceless. We love our brother Rick and your kind words and memories has given us more comfort than you will ever know. Our hearts are broken but thanks to you and good morning Gloucester we have seen the beauty and kindness that still exist in this world. We love you and our beloved Gloucester ma.
Donna, kim john and Derek
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Rick sure did live life to the fullest and I am just so thankful that I was friends with such an amazing beautiful soul. I met Rick back in 1983 during Spring Break in Clearwater. We were both down at our parents from college in MA. After college we both moved to Tampa Bay. Poor Rick use to put up with all my drama back then(LOL), but he was always there for anyone of his friends. I am so sad and feel so sorry for his family now. Rick adored his family more than anything and always shared such kind words of them. I had lost touch with Rick and then recently reconnected with him. I am still in complete shock and heartbroken. May we all cherish the fond memories of Rick and hold them in are heart. He shall truly be missed. Kim (Smith) Elkins
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Rick’s friends will be gathering this Saturday morning at 9:30AM to celebrate his amazing life. We will meet at the Eastern Point Lighthouse for some words of remembrance and music. All are welcome and encouraged to come so together we can grieve the loss of our wonderful friend. We have all loss a special person.
Paul F. Murphy
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“You don’t know, you don’t even know the half.” Often said of great people in ones life you couldn’t even begin to comprehend. It’s a brotherhood these selections in friends that you make in life that forge a bond greater than steel. This is beyond ones professional accomplishments in life for I didn’t know him in that capacity, “The how are you” drawn out in a question he would often ask while being right in you’re grill.
I can only speak to how we shared amazing times. Well this guy Rick most certainly made the most of it. Ricky ticky tampa ’s shenanigans even caught me of all people off guard on many occasions. “Rick was just completely unpredictable in nature being that he was the path.”
To delve into all these stories one accumulates in life would be foolhardy at best. I couldn’t imagine growing up with him like Joey has. I had only met him through his brothers later in life in my 20’s. He most certainly had a great spark for interesting moments that only got bigger as I got to know him better. Last time I was staying down in Florida I pressed to see him. He was off the radar for a minute but meet us at a dinner down on the beach. He showed me this awesome place for cheeseburgers and we shared a great conversation. It seems trivial but I love food especially Cheese burgers and in life the small things you learn about people make all the difference.
You talk about fiesta his name comes up arriving on mysterious floats, you talk about Vegas the cigar smoke sneaks around the corner, you talk about Nantucket wearing reds, Boston nights at Daisy B’s, Florida trips filled with baseball, and I could spill on…We don’t but being in the circle of someone’s life that has touched many others is a gift. Friendship is steady work never waist or misplace a drop, it should be right behind family in slot two.
MVP Rick will be missed and the soil of my life will forever be enriched by knowing his. We as friends are left to keep his memories alive. We are spread far apart right now, a collection of people but look to the memories for comfort. I would love to launch into the story of him upstaging a high brow fashion show in Nantucket . The laughter of the crowd, the cheer of his friends, he just lit up the room that night like so many others. Codename Lion King the fuse burns wildly a final mission, get us a table a big one.
Joey, Joey, Joey I see a friggen Rainbow… I’m picking up what you are laying down….Be well in these difficult times abroad everyone and lets respect his wish to pay things forward…. “Outstanding” I’m thinking about all you guys right now stay blessed…I’m smiling wildly as always, life we got away with it living less ordinary.
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Joey , thank you and all ricks friends for sharing your memories of our beautiful brother . He loved all of you guys so much !!!
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I see rainbows also. But weather it is a gentle puff of wind or a bird calling in the distance. The deer that cross my path. You know it is the ones we love.
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What a truly beautiful explanation as too what kind of man he was & all the fun times you all had together. You are truly blessed to have such beautiful fun memories of him & all the other friends.
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