Obituary : Frederick Rickson
Frederick (Fred/Rick) Rickson of Vineyard Haven died on June 2 at his residence after serious illness. He was 68 years old and married to Joyce (Jackson) Rickson.
Frederick was the son of Fred and Beatrice (Thompson) Rickson and was born in Boston on April 5, 1940. His mother died when he was a toddler and he was raised by his stepmother, Marion (Clements) Rickson.
After graduating from Boston Technical High School, Fred served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps. Following his return from the military, he purchased his first truck and began many years of work as a truck hauler and a member of the Teamsters Union Local #379.
Fred was a frequent visitor to Martha's Vineyard and retired to the Island in 2005. His hobbies included sports, photography, music, playing cards and most recently, bridge.
Fred is survived by his wife, Joyce; son Christopher, his wife Diane, and their sons Isaac and Nathan of Keene N.H.; daughter Diane of Brighton; sister Merle Rickson Thomas and her husband Lafayette of Nanjemoy, Md., and their children Kenneth, David, Karen and Linda; niece Collete Andrews and her daughter Aisha; and the mother of his children, Beverly Rickson of Mashpee. Fred was predeceased by his twin sister, Beatrice, and his brother, Alfred.
A service will be held on Sunday, June 22, at 2 pm at the First Baptist Church, located on Spring and Williams Streets, in Vineyard Haven, officiated by the Rev. Roger Spinney. Donations (in lieu of flowers) may be made to the Vineyard Nursing Association, P.O. Box 2568, Oak Bluffs MA 02557; or to Hospice of Martha's Vineyard, P.O. Box 2549, Oak Bluffs MA 02557. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, located on Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road in Oak Bluffs. Visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.
