Rickardo Alban Noel

On November 4, 1960, Rickardo Alban Noel was born to Sheila & Oliver Noel at Point-A-Pierre hospital in Marabella, Trinidad, West Indies. He was the 6th of 8 children. Rick’s first home life began in Gasparillo where we were a normal, happy family. In June 1969, Dad and Mom began a 3-year process of migrating with the family of 10 to Brooklyn New York, USA. Rickey, Rob and Raymond were the last to migrate in1971. Dad’s move to New York brought drastic change for all of us. Prior to our movement from Trinidad to New York, the children were dispersed amongst 2 other family member households. Gen, Rick, Rob, and Ray lived with Aunty Ivy who was a strict disciplinarian. This moment in time is when Gen first saw Rickey’s defiance to any rule, law or person that was obtuse to his freedom to be a kid, man, his movements, or his thinking. This living situation remained in place for 3 long years. He was 11 when he finally came back home with Mom, Dad in the US will all siblings.

Rick attended Andries Hudde Jr. HS in Brooklyn where he participated and excelled in the Automotive Program; he grasped this skill for auto mechanics which carried throughout his life. In 1975, our family moved to Hempstead, NY. He then attended Uniondale HS where he was a standout athlete in Track & Field. His coach recognized his ability as a ‘distance’ runner and began priming him for bigger opportunities. In June of 1978, the family moved to Dale City, VA where he attended and graduated from Woodbridge HS. Following an unfortunate motorcycle accident in senior year of High School, Rickey sustained a completely severed ankle injury which ended his dreams to pursue track and field at the collegiate level.

Rickey had an innate ability to use his hands and do things that were physically demanding. Following HS graduation, Rickey began a trail of different jobs. He worked as a mechanic, he worked for the Washington Post in their printing press room, he managed a bowling alley where he sustained a significant hand injured fixing a mechanical issue. He worked at Washington National Airport in a Mr. Fix It opportunity, he would say “I keep the kitchen running”.

In 1983 he began his true full relations when he met Renita and her daughter Chasity Griffin Culp, age 2, who Rickey treated as his own daughter. Rickey and Renita lived together for the next 10 years in Manassas, VA. Together, Rickey and Renita had 2 sons, Chris born on Dec. 15, 1984, and Nicholas on April 19, 1989.

The second chapter of Rickey’s life began in Spring Hill, Florida where he developed his entrepreneurial skills for business when he began Paradise Pavers & Landscaping that began to thrive. He met Laura Dupuis with whom he had a son, Rickardo Noel, Jr. born September 1, 2005, in Spring Hill. After the passing of our dad in May 2006, Rick and mom became very close and supportive of each other.

In the third phase of his life, Rick faced some challenging times. The onset of chronic medical conditions, that were exacerbated by his enjoyment of libations, began to restrict his activity and affect his temperament. Despite his best efforts to maintain his lifestyle, family and loved ones noticed the change in his formerly soft-spoken, fun-loving, king of the castle personality.

Ricky worked hard and he played hard. This lifestyle finally began taking its toll on both his health and dealing with the demands and challenges of life. He finally succumbed to Kidney failure, and Liver Cancer.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.turnerfuneralandcremation.com for the Noel family.