1951
2016
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.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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
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