George Ricardo

June 1, 1966 - December 26, 2020

Funeral Details: Friday, January 29, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. A Virtual Service will be Held

Remembering George Ricardo
Memorial and Virtual Reception on Friday, January 29, 2021 at 3pm, EST
https://soontar.io/george-ricardo-fb - Memorial with Facebook
https://soontar.io/george-ricardo-youtube - Memorial without Facebook
Call in detail: Phone number - 647-558-0588, Meeting ID - 883 8223 8851

June 1, 1966 - December 26, 2020

It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of George Ricardo.  George will be lovingly remembered in the hearts of family and friends, and all who knew him.  George lived a fulfilling life dedicated to his passion for sports.  His unique humour and personality led him to meet and connect with many wonderful people during his short time on earth.  He enjoyed travel throughout the country, and had a great love of cars.  He also possessed a special talent for drawing.  George was an accomplished athlete with Special Olympics in Toronto.  For over 30 years he participated in individual and team events, and won over 200 medals during that time.  In 2019 he realized his ultimate dream of qualifying for Special Olympics Team Canada, winning the opportunity to compete in the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi.  Alongside his soccer team mates, he had the honour of bringing home a bronze medal.  Sending out much gratitude and love to all who cared for George and supported him in his amazing adventures, trials and triumphs.  See you later alligator.  Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.  As an expression of sympathy, any donation to the Special Olympics is greatly appreciated.  Online condolences and memories may be made at www.peacefultransition.ca

Peaceful Transition Simcoe

CONDOLENCES

25 Condolences
  • Russ Bond
    Posted on: Tuesday, January 12, 2021 Reply

    Miss him. He was a good dude….so fortunate I got to do this with him. RIP buddy

    https://youtu.be/q0FpkjZL7dU

    • Luff
      Posted on: Friday, January 29, 2021 Reply

      George Ricardo nice men know at track and field meats missed
      From spencer volunteers Tracy and Ted

  • Peter O’Neil
    Posted on: Tuesday, January 12, 2021 Reply

    Had the privilege of coaching George in SO Floor Hockey for many years at Variety Village. What a special player, magical and usually unstoppable on the floor. Speed, agility & natural ability and prided himself on assisting team mates. He was a joy to coach and his later successes in soccer, track & speedskating were no surprise to me. RIP my friend.

  • Marlin City Park
    Posted on: Wednesday, January 13, 2021 Reply

    Ok ‘Later ‘Gator.

    Rest in Peace George.

    𝓜𝓪𝓻𝓵𝓲𝓷~51

  • Erica
    Posted on: Wednesday, January 13, 2021 Reply

    I’m sorry for your loss. George was a great man and will be truly missed by all and especially his Special Olympics family!!!

  • David wootton
    Posted on: Wednesday, January 13, 2021 Reply

    We shall miss you George.
    From your friends and neighbours from City Park Co-op.

  • Blair Williams
    Posted on: Thursday, January 14, 2021 Reply

    I always enjoyed running into George at City Park, where he would happily regale me with stories of his athletic prowess, or engage in philosophical questions. It was always a pleasure to talk to him – his heart was huge, and he will be missed.

  • Marlin Roy
    Posted on: Thursday, January 14, 2021 Reply

    “ok. ‘later ‘gator”

    Missed by Marlin and friends from City Park

    Rest in peace George

  • H. Karin Williams
    Posted on: Thursday, January 14, 2021 Reply

    My condolencs go to all who loved George . And there were many of us. He made us laugh, he made us frown, he surprised us and at times even annoyed us, made us smile, made us think….but he was always his own, remarkable person. The last kindness he performed toward me was chairing some unusual candy. George was not one for liquor, cigarettes or drugs. He got his nectar for life directly from the Universe. He lived life to the fullest in spite of physical disabilities (his hearing). But to his delight in these latter years he received some powerful technical aids and was able to fully take part in the conversation. He directed his strength toward sports. Thus he earned many medals and had many triumphs. Some of his biggest triumphs became ours and we clapped, cheered and celebrated the news with him. Oh, I will miss him, coming out from nowhere, grinning at his surprise and greeting me in the grumpy way he had. But he was my friend, shared many a secrets with me and listened to mine. He left a legacy: Life your life to the fullest, live each day like it was your last. And if you need courage ask the Universe for it and you will find it like George Ricardo did. Thank you George.

  • Kenneth Phillip
    Posted on: Thursday, January 14, 2021 Reply

    I know George Ricardo, since 1983 where we met at Bloor Station and had a great conversation. We often texted to see how we were doing in the end, I miss my friend.
    Sleep on now rest in peace.
    I miss you, George.

  • Sency Galaxia
    Posted on: Monday, January 18, 2021 Reply

    George was like a big brother to me. Every time I’d visit my grandma who lived at City Park as well, I would hope to run into George. I was pretty young, so I don’t remember every detail of his personality, but it’s absolutely terrible to see him go. I wish I could have spent more time with him. I’m glad at least he’s up there with my grandma. He lived a great life, and I can hold back my grief by remembering how much he accomplished. He had a short, but fufilling life. I can honestly say, that despite not having great memory of him myself, that I will never forget George. He was an awesome person, and wonderful to talk to. I hope someday I’ll get to see him again. Wherever that may be. I don’t know what else to say, though I wish I could say something more.
    See ya later, alligator
    -Sency

  • r\Ron Connors
    Posted on: Monday, January 18, 2021 Reply

    George. We will all miss your friendly face at City park. We also miss miss your tales of your
    Special Olympic stories

  • Grazyna Karp and family
    Posted on: Monday, January 18, 2021 Reply

    Goodbyes hurt the most, when the story was not finished…
    George, you will always stay in our hearts.

    Our deepest condolences to George’s family.

  • Michael Delarmee
    Posted on: Wednesday, January 20, 2021 Reply

    RIP George.
    I’ll miss our chats.
    See you on the other side.

  • J.Harry
    Posted on: Friday, January 22, 2021 Reply

    Such a shock to hear the news of a wonderful and inspiring human taken too soon. Thank you George for always reaching out and asking how I was doing and all the stories you shared,even so briefly. Your gift of conversation and connection,humor and sportsmanship will continue to live on in many hearts and minds. Rest well friend.

  • Jose Ridoutt Polar
    Posted on: Sunday, January 24, 2021 Reply

    Mis sinceras condolencias a la familia de George y amigos.
    Fuiste un rayo de luz que entro en nuesrtras vidas, querido George Ricardo..

    Descansa en paz amigo!

    Jose, Silvia, Michel y Francois

  • Ivan Brown
    Posted on: Tuesday, January 26, 2021 Reply

    Very sad to hear of George’s passing. I knew George since 1987 as a community support worker, and found the City Park apartment for him shortly after. Although our professional relationship ended in 1991 when I went to another job, George continued to keep in contact many times every year by phone, email, and text. He always reminded me in early June and in December to take him to Swiss Chalet for his birthday and Christmas lunch. The picture is from his 2016 birthday lunch. He relied on me to solve various problems over the years, and I was happy to do so. George had a remarkably interesting life — mostly due to his own initiative — despite his challenges. He met many celebrities, travelled quite a lot with Special Olympics, and had many friends and acquaintances over the years. All of us will miss his zest for life.

  • RAY LOWE
    Posted on: Tuesday, January 26, 2021 Reply

    Sorry for his loss.Did he ever paint and draw in pencil?

    • Lucia Ricardo
      Posted on: Wednesday, January 27, 2021 Reply

      Hi Ray,
      Yes, he did. How were you familiar with his drawing?

      • Luff
        Posted on: Monday, February 15, 2021 Reply

        Very sorry lost george Ricardo know him at track and field meet
        From spencer volunteers Tracy and Ted

  • Paul Turner
    Posted on: Wednesday, January 27, 2021 Reply

    Sad to hear of his passing. Thoughts and prayers sent from Special Olympics Guelph Wellington. I’ll remember him as being a true athlete in floor hockey. He was so friendly and outgoing.

  • PETER SANTOS
    Posted on: Thursday, January 28, 2021 Reply

    Very sad news hearing that George is no longer with us, anyone who had the chance to spend time with George will never forget him, a very special person. Our families spent a lot time together as kids, he was a character, loved to laugh.

    Rest in Peace George……

    Peter, Judith, Manuel……

  • Amy Van Impe
    Posted on: Friday, January 29, 2021 Reply

    George was a great team member he always pushed us to be the best and when we were down on ourselves he always told us next time he encouraged us to be who we are he will always be a bobcat to me i used to see him at soccer in the summers and he just was so happy to see me thanks George for everything you have shown me you taught me valuable things in life and i will alwasy be grateful for you

    RIP GEORGE

  • Ethel Kelly & Ian Kelly
    Posted on: Friday, January 29, 2021 Reply

    To all of George’s family and friends, we share you sadness on George’s passing and your joy of having him as part of our lives. As a mom of a Special Olympic athlete (Ian Kelly) I was thrilled that George became fast friends with Ian when they played for the floor hockey team “Burlington Bobcats”. George encouraged Ian to be the best that he can and took Ian under his wing when the team made it to the 2015 Ontario Provincial tournament in Ottawa. They were room buddies and George even took it a step further. As family and friends from the Montreal area arrived to watch they would seek out Ian to say hi and there was George questioning Ian, when he saw Ian talking to them, as to whether he knew them or not. George didn’t care that Ian was an adult himself, he was just looking out for his buddy. He amazed me when the second time we ever met he remembered my name and who my son was. Over the years no matter where we were at tournaments he would do his rounds saying hi to those people he knew and introducing himself to those he didn’t. The last time Ian and George got to see each other was at a soccer tournament being held in Peterborough in 2019. I wanted to capture the picture and Ian was running all over the place trying to find George as the teams were packing up and leaving. Eventually George found us. Another of Ian favourite memory is as a Burlington floor hockey tournament, he had scored six goals in a game and there was George cheering him on the sidelines ready to throw two baseball caps onto the floor. After every goal I could hear him say to someone, “I taught him that”. Rest in peace George. Thank you for being part of our lives.

  • Maria Crawford
    Posted on: Saturday, January 30, 2021 Reply

    Farewell on your next journey, George. I hope you knew how well loved and respected you were for rising to life’s challenges, facing them head-on in your independently spirited and often stubborn way. I will miss your sense of humour and your ear to ear grin every time I told you a joke, no matter how corny. You were one talented guy…creative, inquisitive-minded, funny, helpful and generous with your time. You never gave up trying to better yourself to become a gentleman and a friend to so many. Thank you for being mine. Later gator.
    P.S. Quick! What’s the capital of Azerbaijan? Morocco? Venezuela? <3

Post A Reply to Sency Galaxia Cancel Reply