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Richard Andrew Sylvain

1951 - 2016

Richard Andrew Sylvain obituary, 1951-2016, Aptos, CA

BORN

1951

DIED

2016

Richard Sylvain Obituary

Oct. 1951 - May 2016

Uncle Ricky Has Left The Building

and obituary in haiku

Your head tilted back

Hands opened and turned upwards Taking it all in

Desert mountain range

Surrounded you while sun sets

You still glowed with life

"I don't understand?"

Our collective mantra sings

You've left us behind

Tomfoolery Rich

Those rules don't pertain to me

Leprechaun laughing

Parking tickets spill

From an over-stuffed glove box

"Oh Jesssus," you'd say

Inventions rattled

Hours-years-lifetimes spent dreaming

The cogs not stopping

Dripping from notebooks

Your ideas less than tidy

Stick-it note Patents

Writing new music

Doors locked tight, sings privately

His voice warbles low

Pay me a buck each

For every soul you touched, kissed

Gilding you in gold

And now it's our turn

Practice the lessons we've learned

Making others shine

I can still hear him

Says, "Hey, I've got an ideaaaa"

And "Do you waaannnnnaaa?"

Making us giddy

Not knowing what would come next

Tickling our insides

OF. COURSE. he slips out

"Can't wait around here all day"

Onto the next best

Uncle Ricky was born in Helena, MT to Edward and Ruth Sylvain. He moved with the family to San Martin, CA where he began to exhibit tendencies towards all things creative. Inventions poured from his brain steadily, as did music - classical, folk and rock. Athleticism was paramount and Rick excelled in sports and dance. Ricky also had a mischievous side, as well as a passion for justice (he organized peace marches and school walk-outs), which was not always tolerated. When his spirit antics got out of control, Richard Andrew Sylvain was sent to do a stint at Palma, an all boys Catholic school in Salinas, in hopes of delivering him from delinquency.

Upon graduating, and freshly released from the shackles of homelife, he hit the open road, hitchhiking across America several times. Settling in SOHO, NY for a spell, he fell back on his acquired skills to etch out a living for himself in carpentry. While he danced with Tandy Beal in the South Bay on the west coast, he supported himself with woodwork. Classes taken at Cabrillo College in Santa Cruz buzzed and pounded. Though his music pulsed and road trips to the East and West coasts continued, his tangible income sprouted from a hammer and a tool belt. A constant with his inventions were interruptions: buildings and project deadlines. And so, it should be known that he was a builder, a real estate developer, making a name for himself, but for those who knew him, he will forever be known as an inventor, a musician, a dance, a lover an expressionist, and a dreamer.

Rest in peace Uncle Ricky, you charlatan and magician, making us appear a little more loved, making us all believe we have something glimmering inside that is worthwhile, and even though you've gone, making us all a little more interesting.

Rick is survived by six siblings, John, Carol, Jim, Chris, Mary and Joan, and a world of orphaned nieces and nephews ages ranging from young to timeless, who were loved.

A special tribute to our beloved Uncle will be Saturday, June 18, at 8 p.m., at The Peacock Club, San Francisco. Please visit Rick's memorial page on facebook: Uncle Ricky has left the Building. In lieu of flowers, please consider spending time listening to the dreams of the youth, as that's what he valued most.

Published by Times Herald Online on Jun. 16, 2016.
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To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Sylvain

Not sure what to say?





Friend. - unknown

Unknown Person

July 13, 2018

I loved you first.
Dena

August 15, 2017

You will always be part of my wonderful memories of growing up in Morgan Hill. A great friend who shared some crazy adventures together. I hope to see you again on the other side.

John Wimer

September 21, 2016

LITTLE RICKEY SOUL!!!
I LOVED this guy...we played music together in HS...a genuinely wonderful human being.
Dave Yinger

David Yinger

September 19, 2016

Rick: Love you my friend. Hope to see you down the road. Your light still shines.
Mike Sweeney

September 19, 2016

I remember your sweet "Sylvain" smile and those eyes. Just today learned of your passing....but for the last three months, I sensed your spirit - very strong....it was the oddest thing. Were you saying good bye or hello? 9/19/16

Cinda Nichols

September 19, 2016

I now feel you are my guardian angel.

Ginger Kelley

June 18, 2016

Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results

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Memorial Events
for Richard Sylvain

Jun

18

Service

8:00 p.m.

The Peacock Club

San Francisco, CA

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