Sad to hear, unfortunately, Spanish is not looking very good either. He walks down our alley almost every day and is looking very ill again. Hopefully, his relatives know how much Ritchie and JD were a part of our daily lives here on the island.

Peace to them both

So sorry to hear this news. They were quite the duo. Does anyone have pictures of JD to post along side this thread on Ritchie? That would be great. I KNOW someone has pictures of them both. Happy trails guys.

I’ve enjoyed reading all these comments about my uncle Richie. Knowing Richie had a community that cared for him has been very positive for my family, especially Richie’s sister, my mother. I remember Richie as being a very sensitive person (I think this is genetic). For me growing up in the States, Uncle Richie was always a mystery and a little bit mythical. I only saw Richie a few times in my life, but as a boy, I heard stories about him looking for sunken treasure and discovering caves with Mayan ruins (he found a cave with a wood box and wood spear that is supposedly very rare). In my imagination, he was this great adventurer who knew all about the ocean and the animals that lived there. I have recently told these stories to my children with similar reactions. Later on, I became aware of some of the suffering that Uncle Richie endured and was very saddened by his death. In my only visit to San Pedro where I last saw Uncle Richie in the nineties, I was heartened to meet some of those who cared for him. Reading this blog, I was reminded of those people and I want to thank all those who bought him a meal or gave him a place to stay over the years.

Richie’s father was named Richard, as is one of my brothers and several cousins. I know there are photos of him that my mother has that I would like to scan and send in. It may be a while before I can do this as my fourth child is due any day now, but I will see what I can do.

Thanks to all of you in San Pedro.

Gerry

Dear Gerry, Richie wrote a wonderful book. We purchased a copy from him many years ago. If you do not have a copy of the book, I will see if I can get one for you. My husband had the pleasure a few years ago to spend the day cruising the island on a golf cart. He was a treasure trove of info on flora and fauna and all kinds of interesting site that were little known to most people. Best, Judy Mernitz

SUPER DUPER to hear from Richies family, Tim and Gerry. I respected him to the max. His field guide, which i spent over a hundred bucks a copy to xerox with high quality reproduction, is beyond fabulous. His knowledge of the island plant and animal life was beyond compare. but his friendship is what meant the most to me. spent many many hours chatting with him in his trailer, or on the beach, at Spanishes, or wherever. My father, who grew up in Cuba til age 11 in 1943, said the 4 hours he spent chatting with him were his most memorable time in Belize.

He was absolutely on of my very best friends in Belize. I shall miss him very very much. He did more than any other person to get this website started by allowing me the use of his Field Guide, and sharing his vast knowledge. He was exactly where he wanted to be, loved his life. And I always enjoyed sharing it with him. I'll nver forget his calm voice when i got into a cage with a spider monkey at spanish's hoiuse and the monkey wouldn't let me leave or it would eat my face. everyone was freaking, and he just smilingly said "sit down, let him play with you til he gets bored". He knew what to do inherently due to his fabulous life experiences.

I am delighted more than you can know by being able to chat with his family. I wanted that so much, now i am crying my head off. I sure never tired of giving him a lil help. I looked forward to slapping him a c note as soon as i hit the sand. The man was one of a kind.

I am traveling now, when i get home i will go thru my archives for pics of the fellows, him and JD.

Good luck with the birth of your 4th child!!!! And peace be with his family.

... tear....

you made me so sad too, Marty
What a delightful remembrance - in that cage. That brought a smile

You were certainly a good friend, and your Dad enjoyed him as well.

Gerry and Tim, thank you so much for sharing a bit. Richie was something of an island staple. Some of us knew him only a bit from conversations during our visits to the island; some, like Marty, knew him on a much deeper level. But for all he was a part of why San Pedro means what it does to so many of us. Gerry, I can think of nothing you could do to honor him more than to keep the stories alive. We will do the same...
Blessings and Peace.

~LA

With gratitude for all who've given my family this picture of my Uncle Richie's life, I write to add to the story.

I'm Gerry's sister, Mary, (married name Haller). My children and I were visiting their Granny(Lyn Woods Sullivan) and Grandpa in Rhode Island when a phone call from Sister Leoni(sp?)came for my mother. As she busily searched for more information,placing numerous phone calls, my father and I came across the Lovefm news story. My parents had so many questions and much grief that evening Gerry found this blog the following day and it has brought a lot of comfort. I met my uncle for the first time on my one and only trip to Belize when my grandmother died. Like Gerry, I had a sense of mystery about this man whom my mother spoke of so lovingly although she had left Belize when Richie was still quite young.

Belize itself has always represented a kind of sorrow for me since my mother missed it- and her brother- very much. Thank you all for being a witness to this sorrow we're sharing now.

Mary

My heart is with you Mary.

Here's the LOVEFM story. Couldn't bear to post it earlier

POLICE INVESTIGATE DEATH OF MAN IN SAN PEDRO

July 21, 2008

Jorge Aldana reporting…

A San Pedro man was found dead inside a small outside restroom of the Belize Tourism Board in San Pedro Town. According to Police just around 10:30 this morning they received information of a male person found dead at the corner of Caribena Street and Barrier Reef Drive in San Pedro Town. He has been identified as Richard Woods originally from Belize City. Sergeant Paulino Reyes is the head of the Criminal Investigation Branch for police’s coastal executive area and told us more.

Sergeant Paulino Reyes, CIB San Pedro

“Around 10:30 this morning we received information of a body lying in the yard of where the BTB office is located and we came here and noticed the body of a man. So far he has been identified as Richard Woods.”

Jorge Aldana

“So do they know the cause of death?”


Sergeant Paulino Reyes, CIB San Pedro

”From what appears at this stage it does not appear fowl play was involved but then it’s early to say that. From my understanding he is someone who was always seen around and had an alcoholic problem. He was last seen alive like three days ago.”

Police suspect Woods died some three days ago. A medical officer certified that Woods died of kidney complications. No visible sign of violence was observed on the body so police do not suspect fowl play.

I am so pleased that you family members wrote in Tim. Does my heart good. So he was the youngest huh? So very cool to read of his family.