PARRISH, Fla. – It is with great sadness that the family of Richard R. Small, 78 years of age, of Parrish, Fla., share his sudden passing on May 2, 2023. He was a past resident of South Portland and Old Orchard Beach. Rick, Richard, Dick or Dicky was a beloved father, husband, grandfather, and friend.

Rick was born Nov. 20, 1944 to Gerald and Thelma Russell Small. He was raised in South Portland and spent many summers in Milbridge with his grandparents.

He served in the United States Air Force from 1965-1969 stationed in Thailand and retiring with the rank of Sargent.

After graduating from the University of Maine with a BS in Accounting in 1972, he started his career in finance. He held positions as Senior Auditor at Price, Waterhouse, Coopers in New York, NY; General Manager of El-Jay, Inc., a division of Raytheon Company in Eugene, Ore.; VP Finance of N.A. Taylor, Gloversville, NY; and CEO/Founder of Medex Management Corporation, Yarmouth, Maine. In retirement, he completed his Masters of Aeronautical Science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a 4.0; and worked as a Business Development Manager at Aging Excellence in Saco, Maine; and as an Instructor at Portland Adult Education. He also served in the Volunteer Ambassador Program in the Emergency Department at Maine Medical Center for many years and was involved with the Chamber of Commerce in Saco and Eugene, Ore.

He loved flying and was an FAA private pilot maintaining his license until his passing. He was once escorted by FBI aircraft to the nearest airfield after breaching President Bush’s airspace in Kennebunkport.

Rick was a Ham radio operator for over 60 years beginning in his young teens. The infamous Suckbag Radio, call sign K1DPM, was well known by the FAA and other radio frequencies. The laughs and the stories were endless and hilarious with Ricky, Jeff, Warren, Dud, Ken, Brian and many others.

He loved his cars and took meticulous care of them to include Porsche, Mustang, Audi, BMW and his latest Mazda Miata MX-5.

Rick was a strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment and an avid shooter.

He loved all animals, especially dogs, and had many throughout the years. He leaves behind his beloved dog Lexi who misses him every minute of every day and his beautiful cat Annabelle.

Rick loved to travel visiting Hawaii six times, Italy several times, and most of the Caribbean Islands.

Rick had a great sense of humor and never-ending support and love for his family. Many people shared “he was the smartest person I ever knew”.

He was predeceased by his parents and best friends, Bob Hanson and Ricky Dennison, whom he dearly missed. The three of them have not stopped laughing since he arrived in Heaven.

He is very sadly missed every day by his wife and best friend Lisa (Stevens); his beloved daughter Julie and son-in-law Chris, and grandchildren Allison and Jack; Lisa’s daughter Lindsay and grandchildren, David and Raven; Lisa’s son Nicholas and daughter-in-law Cassey; sisters-in-law Deborah Delp and Katie Lord, brothers-in-law Ben, Matthew and Jason Stevens; and many cousins and extended family.

All are invited to a remembrance celebration to be held on Saturday, June 24, 2023, noon to 3 p.m. at the home of Lisa’s sister, Katie Lord.

35 Crossing Brook

Cumberland, ME 04021

“Fly high my love until we meet again.”