He’s forever in my heart.
Richard A. Coelho Jr., or Richie, had a great sense of humor. His mother, Regina Coelho-Hapgood, remembers him as the “life of any party.” He could make friends everywhere he went–magically turning a room full of strangers into friends. Richie also had a generous heart–giving blankets, clothing, and food to the houseless. He always was ready to help a person in need.
Richie had a full and loving family life. A middle child, with an older brother, Joseph, and a younger sister, Georgianna, Richie was very close with his siblings–spending a lot of time with them both as a kid and as an adult. He was also very close to his grandfather, “Papa” Joseph Tracey.
Though never married, Richie had one true love, Courtney, the mother of his two daughters, Naia, and Lillyanna. He loved his daughters deeply, and his driving passion was to make sure they had everything they needed, even during the worst of his struggles. When they were young, Richie spent time with them hiking in the woods–one in a back carrier and the other in a pouch on his chest. He also enjoyed celebrating their birthdays, buying each of them a special cake for only the two of them to eat together. His mother recalls that, “Even at his worst, he would always call either me or their mom to see how they were.”
Richie was a gifted mechanic. From a young age, he loved fixing anything mechanical, including bikes, cars, or even boats. Richie trained in Texas to become a certified marine mechanic. Among his many skills “were the use of his hands to fix things,” his mother recalls.
Richie battled addiction for five years. His personal goal was to be drug free and live a healthy lifestyle, but along with substances Richie also fought against mood swings, anger, and hopelessness. These battles had an effect on his family and relationships as well. It was difficult for his mother especially, not knowing where he was or what condition he might be in when he came home.
Richie’s mother said, “His disease has changed my mental, emotional, and physical well-being…even after ten years, the pain in my heart is as it was the day he died.” Her experience has changed her entire outlook on substance use disorder (SUD), and she now understands that users cannot necessarily quit just because they want to do so.
His mother misses him dearly, even the tough times, because “at least he was with me.” Although she now only has memories of Richie, she feels fortunate to still have “his two beautiful daughters.”
Richie’s mother, Regina Coelho-Hapgood, provided the information for this narrative.
November 29, 1987–March 24, 2013-Age 25
Portrait Artist: Theresa Clower
Narrative Writer: Justin Robertson
