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PERTTELI, George Rickey 'Rick'

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Rick Pertteli Pic

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages ago hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I---
I took the road less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

- Robert Frost

This tale has to be told…the journey of a ruggedly handsome, good looking and witty fella named George Rickey Pertteli who passed away peacefully at Cassel Home in North Bay on February 6th, 2021, age 58.  

Rick is the son of the late Bruno Pertteli and Elizabeth Dixon (Keith). Little brother of Albert (Kathy) and Marie (Bill) and big brother of Karri. Uncle to Marty Pertteli (Tanya), the late Chantal Pertteli, Ryan and Alex Barkhouse of Haileybury and Jasmine and Ashleigh Larournaise of Russel Manitoba.

Dedicated, rowdy and fun-loving partner of Beverly Labrosse of North Bay. Her family became his family.

Many aunts, uncles and cousins who he hadn’t seen for years but remained forever in his heart and never forgotten.

So, as it is said, where two roads met the one less traveled is true. Rick’s road began with the innocence of a blue-eyed child full of delight and wonder.

He had a passion for hanging around the hockey arena in his younger years. If you couldn’t find him, that’s where he would be. His passion for hockey never left him. He was a loyal Boston Bruins fan forever and always.

Rick also loved country and western music. His favorite artists were Waylon Jennings and George Jones. If it was country…he loved it. Rick, Waylon and George spent many nights singing together. Waylon never knew Rick sang his songs so well or that they meant so much to him.

He had discipline and an excellent work ethic that was shaped at an early age. By the time he was 14 years old he was cutting tree lines in the bush like a grown man. He was proud, young and lean and would push himself to out work the older gents to prove he was just as good or better.

So as his journey on the road twisted and turned, he became independent and a self-appointed supervisor of his own life and nobody was going to take the “white hat” from him. If they tried, he would challenge them like a warrior from the Roman Empire. With that being said there were times when he should have surrendered, but it wasn’t in him to do so.

Over the last while Rick had been experiencing “mini strokes” that affected him greatly. He could no longer carry on like a warrior, lover or friend. Surrender it was…and so he did…but not willingly.

Rick lived the last 5 years at Cassel Home in North Bay where he developed great and ever lasting friendships with the “Angels” that worked there. They all referred to Rick as their “buddy”. Deep gratitude and thanks go to the staff and physicians for their care and compassion.

The twisted and turning road has come to an end for Rick but continues on for each of us. So…wherever, whenever, or however you crossed paths with Rick, know that you share a part of it with him. 

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Rick’s life will be held at a later date. Donations to a food bank would be appreciated.

 



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