Richard Lee King

 Richard L. “Ricky” King, 69, of Labelle, previously of Belleville, NS, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2025 surrounded by the love and comfort of his wife and son.

Born in Sandy Point, Shelburne County, he was the son of the late Winslow and Mildred (Devine) King.

A welder by trade, but chose a life as a fisher, deeply connected to the sea, to family, and to the simple joys that made every day worth celebrating.

Ricky spent the first 23 years of his life in Shelburne County, where his bond with the water began at an early age. He later moved to Yarmouth for several years before eventually settling in Tusket, Nova Scotia, where he and his family made their home. Tusket remained his place of comfort and pride until 2021, when he moved to Queens County, continuing to enjoy the lifestyle he loved most—close to family, nature, and the water.

Ricky’s life’s work was more than a career—it was a calling. At 17,working the backs of many boats, fishing for lobster and ground fish with determination and grit well beyond his years, fishing from the coldest waters of the Flemish Cap to the ripping tides of Briar Island. Through hard work and dedication, he earned his way into the captain’s chair of his own lobster boat at the age of 29. From there, he continued fishing with pride and passion until his retirement at the age of 65. The sea was where he felt most at home, and it shaped the man and loving husband and father he became.

Ricky had a true love for speed and adventure. He owned a race car and embraced the thrill and excitement that came with it. He also loved to travel, always eager to explore new places and make memories along the way. Summers were spent at Ponhook Lake with family and friends, creating times filled with laughter, relaxation, and boating—moments that will be treasured forever.

He was happiest outdoors, whether in the woods or on the water, and those who knew him, knew his appreciation for the natural world ran deep. Ricky had a wonderful sense of humor, a quick wit, and a talent for joking around. He loved people and spending time with his friends, sharing stories, laughs, and companionship, and he had a way of making people feel at ease in his presence. Ricky had a deep love for animals as far as owning his own livestock in his early years.

Richard will be remembered as a man who was authentically kind and lived life fully—guided by the tides, grounded in family, and fueled by laughter and love. His legacy lives on in the stories told, the waves that continue to roll in, and the many lives he touched along the way. His life is celebrated, his memory cherished, and his spirit forever free.

Ricky was a devoted husband and is survived by his wife of 46 years, Diane (Doggett), and a proud father to his adopted daughter, April, and his son, Nathaniel (Morgan). He was a loving grandfather to Ivy and Lucas, who brought him immense joy and pride. Prior to his own children, Ricky fostered 6 children.

Besides his parents, Ricky was predeceased by his siblings Burton, William, Anna Nickerson and Ann Muriel Ross.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Chandlers’ Funeral Home, Liverpool, where visitation will be held from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. all in Chandlers’ Funeral Chapel, Liverpool on Friday, December 19, 2025. Reception to follow. Burial will be in White Point Community Cemetery, No flowers, donations may be made to the Gille Boudreau and Friends Cancer Help Fund, White Point Cemetery Fund or the Greenfield Fire Department. Online condolences may be made below.

A special thank you is extended to Dr. Snow and the oncology team at South Shore Regional Hospital, Dr. Gibson and Kaylee RN (palliative care) as well as Dr. McKinnon and nursing staff of second floor, Queens General Hospital.