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Desmond Rice Obituary
Desmond Francis Joseph Rice Naples, FL
Desmond Francis Joseph passed away suddenly in Naples, FL on Thursday, April 14th, 2011 at the age of 62 years.
Des was the beloved husband of Brenda; proud father of daughters, Charlie and Samantha Rice; father in law to Jeffrey Robins; and cherished grandfather of Ella Rice-Robins.
Des was a great leader who genuinely cared for his family, employees, franchisees and business associates. He will not only be remembered as a great husband, father and grandfather but also as a person who made a difference in many people's lives.
The Des Rice Memorial will be held on Friday April 22, 2011 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Naples Funeral Home, 3107 Davis Blvd, Naples, FL 34104.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Desmond Rice
Sponsored by Samantha Rice.
Rice Brenda
April 15, 2025
Think about you everyday Des went to the ocean and shared memories
Joe Hunter
April 14, 2025
Sandra and I still are reminded of Des, and usually the memory brings smiles to our faces and a chuckle to our hearts. He was irrepressible and loyal, dismissive of posers and an ally to real solid people.
We miss him, but were fortunate to have him in our lives.
Sandra and Joe Hunter
Brenda
April 14, 2024
Miss you, think of you & pray for you & mention your name each & every day
Loving wife
Brenda
Sandra and Joe Hunter
April 14, 2024
Chesterton said, "Angels can fly because they can take themselves lightly"!
Sandra and I believe Des still flies!
Sandra and Joe Hunter
April 14, 2023
Time has passed but the impression which Des had on so many people will never pass nor fade. He was a staunch friend and a bright light in our lives. Sandra and I still enjoy recalling Des' antics and witticisms even after all these years. In short- he was very special - and we were fortunate to call him our friend!
Sandra and Joe Hunter
Brenda Rice
March 9, 2017
Not a day goes by I don't think of you, talk about you,miss you. It has taken all these years to now be able to read all these wonderful comments from people who truly cared. What a special person you were Des, thank you for being you. Your loving Wife.
glen davis
August 4, 2012
sorry to hear of Des passing. we were class mates from james s bell public school in long branch and new toronto secondary high school.i will always remember him.
Carrie Drakeford-Vorse
May 16, 2011
Brenda, Charlie & Sam: You all are in our thoughts and prayers always. Des will be missed by our whole family. With Love & Sympathy
May 13, 2011
Hi Brenda and family, please accept my deepest sympathy. John Handson
Martin and Pat
May 12, 2011
Brenda,Charlie,Samantha and Jeff:It is with a heavy heart we send this note.Des was such an influence on our lives and the lives of so many others.We will miss his smiling face and big brown eyes always stopping by or emailing photos of a trip just taken or more recently updates with Ella.Although he is not present his influence will be with many of us forever.
We are always here for you,talk soon.
Kim and Mark Kosberg
May 12, 2011
Des, Thank you for everything you have done with your work in the green industry and around the globe. You have helped to enrich so many lives and create opportunities for many families like ours. We will forever be grateful for the dream and the ambition that started with a loan and a beat up truck. You will forever be in our hearts and our thoughts.
Tony Cosentino
May 10, 2011
Des, you were truly "one of a kind" Your generosity was only surpassed by your love for life and love for your family. We will all miss you and the world is a much better place because of you...Tony Cosentino
Rest peacefully my friend, I miss you!
May 6, 2011
Dear Brenda, Charlie and Sam, I was shocked to hear about Des' sudden passing and want you to know how my heart goes out to you and your family at this time of sadness. . I have known your family since I was a wee squirt at 14 yrs of age and moving away to the USA in my mid-twenties, meant a more distant friendship, with some years passing between contacts as I am now 48.
No matter how many years went by, we could chat like we just got off the phone last week. I loved his sense of humor, his drive, his “never give up attitude”, his deep commitment to those close to him and his love for life. He was always so proud to update me on everyone’s progress and accomplishments. Des loved you all so much and jus know you meant the world to him.
I admired Des’s creativity, ambition and ability to accomplish so much, while at the same time supporting others at the same time. He was a man of integrity and he would even turn his cheek to those who attempted to cross him. He was a brilliant business man, amazing father, loving husband and fabulous human being. I will miss him deeply. I am grateful for our friendship and his support in my early adult years when I had some struggles in my life. It is because of Des, I became a nurse and for that and much more I am so thankful. He had a huge impact on my life. More than I can even say.
Samantha and Charlie, I didn’t know you well in the later years, but loved seeing you run around as little ones when I still lived in Mississauga. Your Daddy was always so proud of you girls! I hope some day we can get to know each other. I know you are both having adult lives of your own now, and would welcome to connect with you. We have one child, adopted who is almost 3 yrs old, so perhaps you would bring your little ones to frolic with ours as you grow your own families into the future and take a trip to sunny Southern California to play at Disneyland, Sea World and the San Diego World Famous Zoo!
Brenda, you have always been so good to me and I have missed laughing with you as you share so many funny stories. I have always admired your passion, carefree ways with your deep support. Perhaps someday soon, we can laugh again and catch up. Please know, if there is anything I can do in any way, I am here for you all now and always. You will always have a home in San Diego!
Love, Lisa Lillie (nee Kertesz)
Art Drysdale
May 4, 2011
It has been about two decades since I talked with Des, and I regret that. I always liked his philosophy and we enjoyed talking with each other about the state of the turf industry.
Ave atque vale--Hail and Farewell!
Susan Drakeford
May 3, 2011
Lifetime Family friend you will be sadly missed.
Doug & Wendy Peters
May 2, 2011
Dear Brenda and family:
So very sorry to hear of the passing of Des, a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to you and all of your family. May you be comforted in knowing that he left a wonderful legacy in a life lived to the fullest. We will always remember his smiling face and larger than life personality.
Doug & Wendy
Marilyn and Larry Deady
April 30, 2011
Dear Brenda,Charlie and Samantha,
Our hearts go out to you in this time of loss . We will forever hold close our memories of the wonderful,kind and caring man that Des was to us.We will always be here for you.
Love Marilyn and Larry
Walter HC Drakeford
April 30, 2011
Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.
April 30, 2011
Dear Brenda and Family,
I've gotten to know all of you ever since you bought a home in Bonita Springs, FL. I looked forward to Des' Winter visits. He was so proud of you all. He used to show me pictures of his Ella and of the beautiful trips you all took. I looked forward to his visits he used to show me the latest books he was reading and he told me to get the Kindle....thanks to him I bought one and am happy that I did. I am going to miss his smiling face and his wonderful personality. Your loss is so tremendous but know that you and the family have our deepest sympathy. We have lost a true friend and wonderful neighbor. Much love to you all, Uschi&Eric Sulzer
April 30, 2011
Pat Rice
April 28, 2011
Twelve years ago Des and I arranged the funeral for our father Frank. Des always fondly referred to Frank as "the old man", and Frank always fondly referred to Des as "the big boy". Frank was a very hard working man who had brought his family to this country in search of a better life. Des was also very hard working and managed to obtain that better life for himself and his family. Des and Frank will always be in my thoughts, I am very proud of them both, and I will always miss "the old man" and "the big boy."
April 26, 2011
Dearest Brenda and Family,
So, so sorry to hear of your loss. Please accept my deepest and sincerest condolences. Words alone cannot express how my heart aches for you, but heaven has received another angel, one who will guide and look after you
in the days to come.
Love Cheryl Elliott
April 26, 2011
So sorry to hear of your loss of a husband ,grandfather & father.May God protect you and your families in the days to followBrenda. Your cousin ,Veronica
Sandra and Joe Hunter and Family
April 25, 2011
Brenda and Family
We will keep you all in our prayers as you deal with this tremendous loss of a husband,father,and grandfather.
We have lost a true and special friend, but we know that Des will live on in all of our hearts forever.
Rosie & Michael Lane
April 25, 2011
To Brenda and Family ,We are so Sorry for the loss of your husband ,father and Grandfater,who passed away our deepest Sympathy goes out to you all.our prayers are with you all at this sad time .Michael and Rosie Lane.
April 25, 2011
Dear Brenda & Family
So sorry for your loss, sympathy and prayers to you all and may Gods blessings and strength be upon you.
Paul & Joan Ducharme
Paul Proulx
April 25, 2011
Hello Brenda and family:
i read of Des's passing. how very sad. i will always have very fond memories of Des and his leadership qualities. he will be missed but always remembered. God bless you and the girls. Paul Proulx
April 25, 2011
To Brenda and the Rice Family
Our deepest condolences, our thoughts and prayers are with you you all.
Weed Man Sudbury,
Adam, Brent, Cheryl Wisniewski
and staff
Pat and Vic McLean
April 24, 2011
Dear Brenda and family
We are so sorry to hear that your dear Des has passed away. We wish you strength in the days ahead. God Bless from your cousin Pat and Vic Mclean
April 24, 2011
Before there was a Weed Man there was a Des and a Brenda. It has amazed me to see what two people could accomplish when they were of one mind. It took the two of them to build the "business". I think it is important to remember this fact when we contemplate the material success of of their industry. Wayne Sproule
April 24, 2011
Dear Brenda, Charlie, Samantha and Jeff, please accept our condolences. We feel your pain and sadness. Des was a very strong man and he worked hard all his life at being a great business man, husband, father and grandfather. We will miss him.
Doug, Donna, Phil, Lisa, Erik, Alicia, Dean, Jane, Alanna and Breann Smith
Harry & Sharon Laffan
April 24, 2011
Dear Brenda:
We have just read about Desi's passing. How very sad. We have called John Robertson in England to tell him the sad news.
Rosemary Havenga
April 23, 2011
Brenda, Charlie & Samantha: My condolences at the death of your husband and father. May God give you strength.
April 23, 2011
Hi Brenda ... Branko & Dorothy here ... just read about Desi's passing ... our hearts are sad, very sad ... terribly sorry... love ... BB & Dot
April 23, 2011
Dear Brenda;
I was shocked to read about Desi in this morning's paper. How very sad and tragic. I want to say so much about our friendship and business relationship all those many years ago, but I am stuck for words.
It has been far to many years since we spoke, much to my deep regret. I know you and your family will miss that man so very much.
Desi may be gone, but his footprints will be around for a very long, long time. And so will my memories of him and our times and travels together.
If I could say one last thing to him, it would be " Desi, I'm a better man for knowing you. And the world is a better place. "
Sincerely,
Peter Kellett
St. Catharines , Ont.
Brenda;
Teresa and I would love to call and pay a visit sometime after all of this has settled. We'd love to hear all about your family and also to tell you about ours.
Pete & Teresa Kellett
Anne Potter
April 23, 2011
No greater honor could be given a man then that given to Des last evening by his wife Brenda and daughters Charlie and Samantha. A loving family is testament to a life well lived.
Anne and Bill Potter
Luther Vanderburg
April 21, 2011
We are very sorry for your loss. Des was a great man. We found him to be very "real". He and Brenda always went out of their way to make us feel a part of the Weed Man family. I will never forget the time he invited us up to his suite during a National Weed Man conference. We never discussed Weed Man or the business of lawn care. We talked riding Harley's and raising kids :-) Great man with a great sense of humor and a way of getting to know people. I will always remember him as a great influence in my life.
We wish you healing and comfort.
Luther & Karla Vanderburg
Sherwood, Oregon.
Ron Heesen
April 21, 2011
Dear Brenda and Family,
I was very saddened to hear about Des's passing. My sincerest condolences to you and your family.
Des was a great leader and a caring person. If you can believe it he actually talked me out of a weed man franchise in the 80's! So honest and to the point. He always contributed freely his time and knowledge to any turfgrass related eandeavour.
There is now another angel in heaven.
April 20, 2011
April 20, 2011
Dear Brenda and family,
My heart goes out to your family on Desmond passing.
Harry and I use to play Desi's records and read his books on how to become a millionaire by thirty. We would laugh and think what's that about ( this was in 1968, we were about 12yrs old very naive ).
When Des named the company The Weedman , I asked why. Desmonds said " when your wife wants you to get rid of the weeds who do you call " The Weedman " use your brain Wayne.
I remember Mr Rice complaining about the water bill and not being able to get into the garage. Harry and I were Desi's first sale reps. We had lots of fun being dropped off in the old Telegram paper truck and doing our sales pitch.
We are all very proud of Desmond, he had a dream and showed us it can be done.
Wayne Parker
Joanne Martin Menard
April 20, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Dear Brenda & family,
I am greatly saddened by Desmond’s passing and the dreadful sorrow that you and your family are feeling.
Des always had a ready smile, a positive word and a twinkle in his eye. As I stop now to think back to those early days on 40th Street, I am awash with great memories of Frank, my dad, the Rice boys, Des’ truck parked outside the house on sunny Saturday mornings, Des waiting for the neighbourhood teenagers to gather so he could start the day’s work. He was so patient!
In later years I would run into Des at Sherway Gardens and he would always stop and pass on a friendly word or a bit of news.
I will always be grateful for Des’ tremendous kindness to my parents over the years. His death has disturbed my mother very much.
I know that your pain is deep, Brenda, but I hope that in the days to come, happy memories will lift your heart and bring you peace.
With deepest sympathy,
Joanne Martin Menard & family
Fran Lawrence
April 20, 2011
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
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