Richard Ricky Allen Tomasini , February 05, 1942 — October 01, 2018

Richard (“Ricky”) Tomasini passed away in Novato, California on Monday, October 1, 2018 at the age of 76 after a short but fierce battle with cancer. He was blessed to spend his final days surrounded by family. Ricky was born in Crescent City on February 5, 1942 and lived his entire life in Del Norte County.

He married Diana Carmody in 1970, and they raised their two children, Andrew and Sacha, at the family home in Del Norte County. Ricky made his living working jobs that only someone… Read More » with his toughness and strength was equipped to handle – pulling crab pots on stormy seas as a commercial fisherman, working a road crew for a local paving company, and tossing trash cans as a garbage truck driver throughout the county, to name a few. Beyond his occupational toughness, Ricky exemplified bravery as a U.S. Army soldier, seeing combat duty as part of an artillery unit in Vietnam in 1964-1966.

Behind his rugged exterior, Ricky was, above all, a caring and devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. Anyone around town who got to know Ricky – and there were so many locals that he befriended during his decades of living and working in the community – could testify that one of Ricky’s favorite ways to pass the time was by simply shooting the breeze. He was a wonderful storyteller, and he delighted recounting tales from a life full of adventure and camaraderie.

He enjoyed gently teasing family and friends alike; to be needled playfully by Ricky meant you were loved by Ricky. He was also a good sport about being ribbed by others, although preferably after some cooling off time if the subject of the ribbing was one of his notorious odd jobs around the house gone awry. Ricky was in his element enjoying all manner of outdoor activities, such as hunting, fishing, clam digging and camping.

He supported his kids’ participation in local 4-H and FFA groups, helping them raise livestock and driving groups of students to livestock showings throughout the area. His favorite subject to read about was history, particularly stories about the old American West. Ricky is survived by his wife Diana; his son Andrew; his daughter Sacha, son-in-law Zach Finley and grand-daughter Adelia Elizabeth Finley; his brother Donald; and his nephews Rodney, Nick, Nathan and Petey.

Ricky is predeceased by his parents, Pete and Tiney, and his brother Rodney. Following the services, there will be a celebration of life at the Enoteca, 960 3rd Street in Crescent City.

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