FREEPORT – Ricky E. Pullen, 66, passed away on Sept. 19, 2018, at his home in Freeport surrounded by his family and loved ones. He was born in Cherry Point, N.C. on Nov. 13, 1951, the son of George Dexter Pullen Jr. and Ruth Helen Bushey Pullen of Smithfield.
Rick was a lucky man, who led a lucky existence, and for this his family is grateful. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving from 1972-1976 as an Electricians Mate Petty Officer Second Class on board the USS PORTLAND LSD-37 in Little Creek, Virginia; forging many lifelong friendships during his service.
On May 27, 1977, he married the love of his life, Donna Jean Caneer, of Huntsville, Ala. and raised a wonderful family during their 41 years of marriage. He graduated from the University of Maine in 1985 and made a career with the U.S. Government at the Indian Health Service in Albuquerque, where he lived for 24 years before returning to his beloved Maine. Rick had an entrepreneurial spirit and started Pullen Consulting in 2009, specializing as a Computer Systems Engineer until his retirement in 2018.
Rick knew that life was meant to be filled with family, friends, laughter and adventure. Always with a smile, he packed as much as he could into each day and constantly pursued his passions. Rick loved the outdoors and shared that love with his family, taking great pride in teaching his daughter how to fish, to select a quality hammer, to love nature, and to just be thankful. He was a huge fan of his beloved Patriots and Red Sox, an avid hunter, gardener and handyman, always crafting projects around the home. Most of all, Rick was a loving husband, dad and devoted friend, who will be deeply missed by all.
He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Donna Pullen; daughter Ashley Pullen, son-in-law Aaron Gould; brother-in-law Dr. Richard Gualtieri and his wife, Vicki, sisters Lisa Turner and Kathi Knight; along with many nieces, nephews; cousins and friends. He is predeceased by his older brother, 1st Lt. Granville Dexter Pullen (Randy), Marine Corps.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday Oct. 20. at the Brunswick Naval Museum & Memorial Gardens, officiated by Elbert Brewster of Oakland. The family asks friends and family to celebrate Rick's life, share stories and toast in his honor at Flight Deck Brewery following the service.
Memorial donations
may be made in Rick's memory to:
Hospice of Southern Maine
180 US Route One
Scarborough, ME 04074
a non-profit that provided loving care and support during his final days
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
Good Bye My Friend.
Jim Stevens
October 17, 2018
Dear Ruth & family,
My heart is heavy as I think of you going through this tough part of life's journey. May our Heavenly Father cradle you in His loving arms as He wipes away your tears. May pleasant memories of Ricky keep returning in the months ahead. Hugs from another mother...sending my love,
Nancy Clement
October 17, 2018
I am so sorry for your loss. May the God who "binds up the brokenhearted" and "comforts all who mourn," strengthen you during this difficult time. Isaiah 61:1, 2.
October 16, 2018
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