I met my boy richie in 1991 at our job airborne express thru out the yrs we broke a lot of bread together and had many good memories for sure. Im deeply sadden for his lost and he will be missed and not forgotten I love you my brother may u rest in peace. Till we meet again your boy Edgar aka webb..

My deepest condolences on Ritchie passing on. We were friends back in Williamsburg since first grade.  We played against each in baseball basketball and football. One the fiercest competitors I had the pleasure to play with or against.  The Yankees were our team.  Last time I saw Ritchie he was making a delivery for DHL to my job and he told me about moving to Florida.  I still remember him being so excited.  I’m very sad right now but also very happy for the family and life he had in Florida.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you.  ❤️🙏

Richie Colon will always be remembered as a great father, coach, friend and man. His greatest achievement in life was his family and he always spoke of his love for them. We met Richie roughly 10 years ago when our children attended school together and he would later go on to coach our daughter in volleyball. Richie was unselfish with his time, commitment and patience while coaching. He taught each athlete to set goals but never forget to have fun while doing it. He was his family's biggest fan, he always cheered the loudest for his children's successes. He was a huge light and personality in this world and will be deeply missed. His family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers.

My dear brother loved to play and coach in every sport. He inspired so many kids, always encouraged them to do better and believe in themselves. You taught us how to be strong and survive in this world. I will always hear your voice in my darkest days “If you fall, you get back up, no time for tears or regrets, you shake it off and keep it going!”.. I will continue to live with those words in my heart. You built a powerful empire and our family will always stand strong. 
We are truly blessed and thankful for all the love and support we have received in this difficult time. I thank you all and love each one of you very much. 
I will truly miss you and I will always hold you in my heart, til we meet again..Rest in peace ❤️

I knew Mr. Colon for only a short time working with him at the Villages High School. 
It was my pleasure knowing him as an advocate for the students.

My deepest condolences.
Marion Elliot 
(Mathematics teacher)

Heavy is the heart that carries the sadness of your loss.  Take comfort in knowing that sharing in Coach's laughter and love for his job is something many of us have been lucky to experience.  I feel blessed to have shared many humorous conversations bantering back and forth with Coach (Red Sox vs. Yankees) and to enjoy his Christmas spirit in the classroom as Santa Colon.  He will be remembered for his ability to brighten the room with his caring, thoughtful, happy-go-lucky nature.  
 
Know that he was a fine man--one admired by many. He has left such a positive mark on this world.  May he rest easy and be with you always.  

Sending love and light,
Jennifer Ramsell

Coach Colon was such as sweet man and I loved working with him!  He had a loving heart and caring spirit for his family, friends and student-athletes.  He will be greatly missed!  Cynthia, I will continually pray for your comfort and peace and praying for your children - that they will trust that God will carry them through this very sad time.  I loved watching the video of your life together.  No wonder he valued and cared for his family so much!  Cherish those times together and the wonderful memories.  

Coach Colon was one of those people who always had a smile on his face.  He always had something positive to say and left you feeling better.  He loved working with his "kids", but what truly made him proud was his wonderful children.  Bless you Colon family, you are in my prayers.

Dear Coach Richie and all he blessed,

He and myself met during my freshman year & better yet on the softball fields. Although I couldn’t play that year because of having had at the time 2 concussions, he offered me the position of bookkeeper & team assistant all because he knew I loved to be in & around the sport of softball. Even though having turned down his offer, his kindness never ceased. There was always the “hey lil grant” that merrily rang down the hallways every time I would pass by his classroom. Oh how I’d love to hear that just one or two maybe even a hundred more times. When it came spring time my sophomore year, it was tryouts time again...& of course being myself, I was nervous as ever. It was Coach Richie that helped ease my nerves, though I was not technically on the team, I could already feel him coaching & supporting me just during tryouts. He truly loved coaching & the world of softball. Having made the team I spent that year & the next, learning, growing & loving softball more than I had before our time together. Coach lit a fire in me when I played & truly made me love the game more than ever despite having played since I was in little league. The two seasons I had with him were a blessing and a heck of a lot of fun. Because everyone knows the best coaches are the the coaches who take candy bribes to get out of running suicides. I love & miss you so much Coach. I know you’re hitting homers in heaven. Your legacy, memories & spirit will live on in Mrs. Colõn, Ale & Damian as they proceed in their walks of life. Don’t forget too coach, about us Lady Buffalo because we will continue to take the lessons about softball and life you taught us in and out of season, with us in our lives as well. It’s more than apparent that Richie had an everlasting impact on those within his life. I for one can attest to that statement, because now that he is no longer with us, the memories are bolder and lessons learned stronger 
Yours truly Coach,
Mariah G❤️



Coach Colon always made the effort to pop out into the hall during class change and yell to wake me up, he would alway say “you’re never tired you’re just bored” which was true! I’m glad I had the opportunity to not only meet him but his family as well I will continue to keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. ❤️

One of the greatest things you’ve ever done for me was being my softball coach for those 3 years. You made me more confident in myself and you weren’t just a softball coach to me, you were a life coach and a second father figure to me. You’d call me out of class at least once a week to check in on me when you knew things weren’t right. You were always there when I needed someone to talk to or when I needed help with setting up college. Whenever I’d see you in the halls you’d always go “Cammmmyyyy come here” or when I’d walk by with Braiden you’d always say that he was lucky to have a person like me or say something silly like Braiden was as pretty as me. I miss you so much coach. I can’t believe you won’t coach me in just one more game. I’d miss the days we would talk for hours and you even opened up your house to me. I miss the days we’d stay after at practice just to work on silly things because you cared about me. I know you know I’ll always be there for Ale and I’ll be there for the rest of your family too. Just like you taught me, were fighters. Now you can be our angel. 
Love you coach, 
Cammmmmyyy❤️

Our love for the Miami Hurricanes is what brought us together. Many conversations about food, music, and family followed. Colon always had a positive spin on everything and made me smile and laugh. He was caring and loving and always looking out for little Viñas too. We both will miss your smile! 






Richie, you will be missed forever and always. The beautiful Moments you shared with family and friends will always speak of a great person that you were. Fly High!!   Rest in peace up in heave!  

Please,  Whent  you see Abuela, Titi & Tios dale un fuerte beso y abrazo de mi parte!! See you soon

I was so saddened when I heard of Richie's passing. I will always remember sitting in my office with him sharing stories of each others children and having the best laughs. He will be forever missed. With deepest sympathy, Francine Costa

Prayers for the family durning this time.

From The Wilson’s
(Wagners team mate)

Coach Colon always lived carefree and didn’t care who you were as long as your character was pure and treated the people around you with respect. He was always happy and wanted everyone around him to be happy. He was such an admirable person. He will forever be missed. 
Always,
Turtle💜💛

Coach Colon was the sweetest soul. 
He made everyone feel as one, no matter what your position, role or age. 
I don’t think he believed in a bad mood and as many would agree, he could turn any bad day into a good one. 
His infectious Mickey Mouse smile was contagious!
The admirable energy & will to never give up was endless & inspired so many.

He had a fatherly aura which truly helped each and everyone on our team. 
He’s one of a kind and for that,he will always be remembered and most definitely never forgotten. 
He will forever be apart of our family,hawk & personal. 

Forever a brother to my dad.

I will forever keep our conversations close to my heart.

Much love for you, fly high my forever coach
🦋💛💜

I meet Coach 2 years ago when he came in to New York for a recruiting trip for his daughter and we hit it off from that death. 2 old school Brooklyn boys with the love of there neighborhoods and the game of Softball.we keep in touch and last year we were fortunate  to bring in Coach as an Assistant Coach . He had knowledge and live for the game that I never saw. Unfortunately with COVID we never got our season in and even when he was back in Florida coach keep working until is sudden end . I’m proud to call you my friend and my brother and you will be sorely missed. .Coach loved his family ,God and the game .
Rest easy Brother next season is for you 💜💛

Coach Colon was always in a good mood and was always able to make me laugh when I was upset or just having a bad day. He had such an infectious smile and reminded me that I was a ball of sunshine. Although our paths only crossed for a few short months, he left such an impact on me as a softball player and a person. He will be dearly missed by the Hawk family. 

My family and I had the pleasure of knowing Richie since 2010. We worked closely together for six years during that time coaching sports and coordinating events that would impact the lives of the young people we were entrusted with. For him, it was always about the kids and he made everything more fun. He was intentionally positive and could spontaneously turn a tough situation into laughter. I knew him to be strong in his  faith, generous with his time, a loyal friend, and the life of the party. He will be missed.

My brother. It was great to see you a few months back.  I remember when you came up to my apt and helped me instal AOL. Lol.. Uff that was a long time ago. We kicked it many times talking  kids family, sports, my judo, martial arts and the good-the bad about our job. Those days are remembered. When you came to visit I never would have imagined  that it was the last time for us to kick it. But we laughed you kept saying you wanted to dance like me, I kept saying you will. Dance in heaven my brother,  make them other Angels  laugh.  You was a blessing to us all who knew you. Till we meet again. 

So many memories we shared my brother, but one that I would cherish is our last dance, a week before you passed away.  You wanted to spend time with your family because you knew you didn't have long time to live. You requested for me to play salsa music,  because you knew that was my favorite. When your favorite song came on, you asked me to dance, you said "Sis, let's dance for the last time". I felt bad I didn't want you to dance because you looked so tired and weak.  I was so worried about you, but I said fine "let's dance".  You were so happy and we danced away, even with you loosing your breath, you still kept going laughing and singing "Wepa",  such a great dance and you didn't give up until the end of the song. You forever my brother will be my best dance partner! I will hold that in my heart every time they play our song. I will miss you forever and until we meet again, we will dance forever. Love you! Your lil Sis Bea! 💃🕺❤

Me and Richie went to school together played a lot of football together lot of great memories he was a great man great teammate great friend in Greek father may God-bless you and your family so sorry for your loss

I worked with colon at Airborne Express.  He was a special kind of guy.  He loved and laughed with everyone.  After you walked away from having a conversation with him any burden you had immediately got lighter.  As i pass on my condolences to the family i also cheer and celebrate the life he lived.  Thank you for all the years of friendship my friend.  From wearing black and gray to red and yellow,  your last uniform is now a  halo and beautiful set of wings. 
Rest in peace my friend..
Your friend Elliott aka slim jim

I remember every time I went down to the fields with my father, Joseph Hornstein, Richie would always tell me that I should join the softball team and that he saw potential in me, that I have a bright future. It got to the point where I would see Couch Richie and he would just point at me and I would know exactly what he was talking about. He has pushed me to try new things and to try-out for the softball team next school year. Richie always was the one at the fields that made everyone laugh and he always had a smile on his face. He was a great man, couch and mentor. He will always be in my heart .

 My memory with My friend Ricardo Colon was and still is agreat Coach ,great friend , awesome partner ,my assistant my right hand 🖐 he’s best of best from the sport Volleyball where I open our big friendship from he open and gave me the opportunity on the sport softball that we always was taking and he love seeing the progress in the players his students , plus our experience he been from Brooklyn New York and live 3 blocks away where I use to live and I met him here in The Villages High School we have memories from the time we met and now candies hidden in his desk and when he visit New York he always sending pictures drinking morir soñando God bless you still can believe I won’t see your smiling ,taking of the meaning your baseball cards are for the future of your family son and daughter. To Cynthia Alexandra and Damian and family god bless you all. Richie you the best of best Rest In Peace.                        att. Coach G🇵🇷🇵🇷

Where do I start...Ricardo Colon was a fun-loving, caring guy. He always considered my family as part of his family. He was never afraid to look silly from dressing up like Santa to dressing up like the Three Amigos. He always said "it was about the kids" at VHS. He loved each and every student he came into contact with at school. He would do anything for me regardless of what impact it had on him. He was a true friend and I will always remember the fun times we had in and out of work at VHS. From laying concrete in my backyard after coaching softball all day to playing Mario Kart with my son, Chase.  His personality was contagious and always made you smile. He was a true friend and colleague. I will be miss him greatly.  RIP, my friend.

Truly a great man that all students loved. His memory will carry on in the students he inspired. Love Ya Brother!

I have many memories of  my friend Richie.  We had daily visits in my office and would joke about my Red Sox and his NY Yankees.  He loved coaching and the game of softball.  He  was a truly genuine sports fan!! He would take the time to listen and his eyes would glow when he would talk about Cynthia, Alessandra and Damian.   I am so grateful to have known him, he will be dearly missed.  

I am forever grateful to have met this wonderful man and his family.  We bonded instantly when he registered his daughter at VHS.  I knew we would be fast friends.  He always had a smile and a joke for me.  We fought about FSU vs The U.  We laughed.  We cried.  We whined.  That's what it's all about...sharing.  His heart was all in.  Many prayers for his family.

Colon was such a funny, loving, caring soul.  I’ll forever remember jamming out to 90s hip hop music, our competitive office basketball games, helping me negotiate on my car, coaching my son with his pitching, making my daughter his honorary Goddaughter, sneaking chocolate chip cookies to my little one, and above all ALWAYS being there when I needed an ear and a shoulder.  He was the big brother I needed who would go along with anything...even dressing up as Santa for our school or throwing on a puffy skirt and walking the hallways.  He always knew just what to say to light up any room.  I can’t believe I’ll never hear him say, “You’re my dawgette” again or be able to throw a paper ball at him for poking fun at me.  I’ll miss our political debates and him imitating me when I let the “New York” out.  What I’ll miss the most is our group text because I knew wherever I was, whatever I was doing - The Three Stooges were always connected.  Rest In Peace, my favorite Dawg.  ❤️😢.  You are terribly missed. 

Tio, ya no sufres más. Estas en un lugar mejor junto a mi papá y abuelo. Me hacias reir mucho y siempre me aconsejabas. Siempre te recordare con mucho cariño y amor. ¡Te quiero mucho! Descansa en paz

I have too many memories of Richie to even pick one. I loved his sense of humor, his loyalty, and the way he loved and welcomed my family into his. He had the biggest heart and he truly would give you the shirt off his back. I will miss him so much. 

I have many memories with Ricardo. Whether it was chasing him down to make the final arrangements for an away softball game or the many years he was helped my daughter get through her testing at VHS. If he knew you....you were family. His heart was filled with love for his family and everyone that knew him. God Bless Ricardo we will miss you.

My most favorite of many memories I have with Tio was when we got all the new movies on the tv and got the speakers connected and binged watch scary movies till midnight was our plan but of course  tio fell asleep and had me watching a scary movie by myself and i just remember me hiding under the covers with my phone 😂😭❤️.  I love you -  your “filangie angie”. 

Ritchie always  had a smile on his face. He had a heart for kids and loved his family. I will always remember him teasing me about Florida State football and proudly supporting the University of Miami Hurricanes. I will also remember the advice he gave me about the type of softball bats to purchase for my daughters and the discussions we had regarding travel ball. I am grateful for the time I knew him and worked with him, his sweet wife, and his mother at VCS. He will be missed. 🙏🏻 🧡💚

Vuela alto,    Hoy estaras entrando al reino de los cielos, desde donde  cuidaras  de tu familia,  ahora duerme el sueño eterno, sin mas dolores fisicos,  ya tu alma esta con Dios.  Descansa en Paz mi querido Richie.

OBITUARY

Ricardo Colon

September 17, 1969 – July 2, 2020

Forest Lawn Funeral Home & Memory Gardens

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