Rick was what he preferred to be called, or Ricardo, since playing soccer was his passion. Born to Phillip and Ruth at VGH, in his early childhood years they chose to follow Phillip's passion and tour the world speaking about his years living with the Inuits.
They lived in many countries such as Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa. As well as Hong Kong, Sydney Australia, where his only sibling, his sister Lorraine was born. Also England and Mumbai. He grew up with a vast knowledge of the world and a life of moving a lot. He really appreciated anything new that he got so he slept with or wore the item to bed for fear of it being stolen, including a pair of ice skates. His mom eventually moved he and his sister back to Canada where they grew up in Peterborough Ont.
He got his education at Western University in London Ont before moving west to Alberta and then BC. He had a son Trevor (Donna) who gave him 3 grandchildren, Ashley, Chelsey, & Derek and a daughter Heather (Rob Ellis) who blessed him with another granddaughter Brodie. His career led him to Freightliner trucks as Western Canada Representative for Daimler Chrysler.
Travel was his passion as well as playing soccer. His failing health after a hip replacement that had to be redone and 5 different cancers finally wore down his ability to really enjoy his retirement. He passed with his wife Catherine of 20 years, who was also his partner in life of 25 years, at his side in St Paul's hospital in the Palliative Care Unit. Never were there so many angels surrounding one man. He was called 'bigger than life' and they all got a memorable experience being his caregiver.
Thank you to the VGH Palliative Care staff who also took care of him in February and to St Paul's Palliative Care staff who saw a strong man finally free of his pain after several months. Bless all you angels.