It's Bill, 4/13/25: Ricky

Overflowing Love at the Legion

Ricky Wilcox’s Celebration of Life was on Saturday, April 6, 2025 at 4PM at The American Legion Hall, Post 65 in Lubec. The parking lot was over full, cars parked on the road and up and down the side road. Arriving just before 4, we couldn’t park. Ricky’s guests had gotten there early for a good seat, to have a drink and to sit with friends.

After a bit of a walk, we entered through the back door and stood behind the speaker who was doing the introductions. We waited until someone else spoke and scurried to the back of the room by the bar.

Stories, Smiles, and Standing Room Only

Tina sat at a front table. There were at least 20 tables of 6 while others stood around the edges of the hall. I’m estimating about 175–200 guests. Standing room only.

We were all casually dressed in comfortable Saturday clothes—jeans, tees, shorts—just like Ricky. The gathering was just the way Ricky would have wanted it: friends getting together to have a good time with Ricky.

Many of Ricky’s lifelong friends took the microphone to tell their favorite Ricky anecdote, putting smiles on everyone’s faces. While a speaker was talking, there was a buzz at tables as everyone contributed and added to the stories while giving their own version. It was truly a celebration of Ricky’s life.

Food, Memories, and Music

After an hour or so, Tina stood up, like a bit of an intermission. She invited everyone to go to the back of the room where an excellent catered buffet was set up, right next to the bar window with three bartenders.

Tina also announced she had a slide show set up on a screen in the front of the room. The slides showed Ricky as he went through his life, bringing smiles to all of our faces.

We sipped, nibbled, and chatted—just like Ricky was with us. Music was provided by a vocalist with his guitar playing old favorites.

The Final Slide: Ricky’s Message

We wandered between tables and friends, stretching our legs, continuing our stories, renewing and making new acquaintances. We met several people who had either grown up in Lubec or summered here. They all had memories of West Quoddy Lighthouse and West Quoddy Station.

I gave out some cards while others had stayed here.

The last slide was a message from Ricky: “I’m glad you came here to see me!”

Thank you, Ricky.