Richard "Ricky" O'Connell

SPENCER: Richard "Ricky" T. O'Connell, 71, of 124 Main St., passed away with
family by his side on Thursday, May 4 th at UMASS Memorial Medical Center, Lake
Ave, Worcester. Ricky was a painting contractor for most of his life, prior to his
retirement.
He was born on October 5, 1951, in South Boston, the son of Thomas F. and Rita
(Hill) O'Connell and later served his country during the Vietnam War with the U.S.
Air Force Police K9 Unit.
He enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, and always saw the good in people, no
matter what their status in life. He was known for his quick wit, infectious smile,
and his kind and passionate spirit.
He was a lifelong learner, and there was no topic he wasn't willing to discuss, be it
life in general or the stars and galaxies of the great beyond.
But to know Ricky was to know his passion for Art, Music, and Cooking. And how
he combined them all into everything he did. He drew, painted, and sculpted. He
played guitar and other instruments. He wrote poetry and composed several of
his own songs. He loved to cook, and even when the cupboards were bare, he
always seemed to conjure up a feast from what ingredients were available.
He loved animals, and there was always one in his life; a dog, cat, tropical fish or
even nursing an injured squirrel back to life. He also loved nature, from the White
Mountains of NH down to the Blue Ridge Mountains of NC, to watching sunrises
in his hometown of Southie at Castle Island or watching sunsets in what he called
the city with the best weather San Diego CA.
Although he will be missed dearly by his friends and family, he will always be in
our hearts whenever we take a stroll through nature, cooking that special meal,
enjoying a piece of art, or listening to music. One of his favorite songs to play and
sing on his guitar was Van Morrison's: Moondance
Ricky was preceded in death by his father, Thomas, mother, Rita, brother Thomas
Jr., and sister Nancy. He is survived by his sister Rita (Johns), Dorothy (Thurston),
brother Robert and 18 nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held 1:45 p.m. Friday, June 16 th at the Massachusetts
National Veterans Cemetery, Connery Ave, Bourne, MA. Immediately followed by
a gathering of friends and family at Mezza Luna Restaurant, 253 Main St,
Buzzards Bay, MA.