Obituary for Richard W. Dobyns II
Memorial Service
Richard Wendell “Ricky” Dobyns II
September 28, 1963 – November 9, 2020
We lost our beloved Ricky suddenly due to cardiac arrest. Ricky was AKA Uncle Ricky to many and also as The Dog Whisperer, The Godfather, The Shrimp Guy (since he never came to a party empty handed or without shrimp!)
Rick was a bright light to every single person who met him. He was born in Scotch Plains, New Jersey to Dr. Richard W. Dobyns and Georgiana at our beloved Graymill Drive! He was the youngest of their five children. He graduated from Scotch Plains – Fanwood High, NJ during which time he worked at the YMCA and was on the swim team. . He had several businesses with his father in New Jersey; Tune Up on Wheels and Pack ‘N Send.
He went on to Tampa University to study computer sciences. After meeting the love of his life Carissa Campanella they married and moved to Sarasota, Florida where he loved life near the sea. Family and friends loved to visit him there in his paradise! His owned a business there Sharp Eye Home Inspections. He continued to apply and donate his many skills as a personal handyman for anyone who needed a hand up to this day. Rick was a generous gift-giver extraordinaire always finding the perfect gift for any occasion. The word “no” was not in his vocabulary, always there for anyone.
Following his unfortunate divorce he moved to Wisconsin which he came to love and family here were thrilled to have him in our lives. He enjoyed fishing, snow skiing, swimming, boating, swimming with the dolphins, water skiing, tennis, golfing, camping, PIZZA especially at Spirito’s in NJ, the NY Giants, every sport there was, concerts and anything with family. Jersey Mike’s is sure going to miss his steady business! He was a lover of all nature and animals especially dogs and was never found without treats in his pocket for them.
He was a respected Assistant Supervisor at the Kwik Trip bakery that he was so proud of. He was there whenever an issue arose, nights and weekends on his time off if need be.
Ricky was a jokester and had the best sense of humor and an infectious giggle. We laughed about many family stories, “you betcha, darned tootin” and “long story short” which was always actually a short story long! But we could never have enough!
Ricky is survived by his 96 year old father Dr. Richard W. Dobyns, older sisters Lynn Dobyns, and Susan Barbato and his most precious Goddaughter Debbie Jo Watt.
He has been welcomed in Heaven by his mother Georgiana “Jo” Dobyns, his siblings Dr. Mark Dobyns and Kathleen Dobyns-Watt and his beloved Grandma Dee Hutzler. He is surrounded by much love of many others who have departed including furry friends most notably Thor, Bailey, Katie, Sammy and Nugget.
An outdoor celebration of Ricky’s life will be officiated by Deacon Jason Hutzler sometime in the future. His ashes will be scattered at the Jess and Stephanie Hutzler farm as well as at the beaches he so loved at the Jersey Shore and in Sarasota.
A better man, son, brother, Uncle, Godfather, friend there NEVER was!
You will be missed down here in this crazy world. Fly high dear Ricky and rest in the peace you SO deserve!
Carisa Campanella
November 16, 2020 @ 11:01 am
Rick was a loving and doting husband to me and we had many wonderful years together. I fell in love with his generous heart and witty sense of humor. He would make me laugh endlessly with his funny impressions, giving voices to our pets and verbalizing what we thought they might be thinking. Rick had a wonderful eye for decorating and made our home in Sarasota a beautiful tropical paradise where we did enjoy having friends and family visit. Rick was always a wonderful host, always checking on our guests to make sure they were comfortable in our home. Rick had the ability to fix anything and everything, I never had to worry about anything in our home because if something broke, he would fix it with ease. We enjoyed many wonderful meals out together in Sarasota, we both had a love of good food! Rick was always my biggest cheerleader in all my vocational and recreational endeavors. He always believed in me and supported everything I did. He loved sports and we became big Tampa Bay Rays fans and enjoyed watching the games together on TV at night over the summers. Rick was always good natured, loving, supportive and generous. He treated my family as if they were his family. I am grateful for the many years we spent together on Long Island and in Florida, and for the beautiful and permanent mark he has left on my heart. I know his loving family will miss him dearly as will I. Rest in Peace my Love.
Craig Campanella
November 17, 2020 @ 4:00 pm
I am so sorry to hear about Rick’s passing. As my sister says above, he always went out of his way to make me, Carisa’s little brother, feel welcome and looked after. Pick you up at the airport? No Problem. Get your favorite snacks and drinks when you come for a visit? Check. Make Rutgers your adopted college team because your brother-in-law loves them so much? Of course! I will remember him fondly because he so often put others first. People like that are in short supply. Sending my condolences to the Dobyns family.
roger semple
November 19, 2020 @ 5:17 pm
I was a friend of Rickys.I dont know anyone who I ever met in town who was not a friend of Ricky Dobbins.He was the kindest most geniune person in our town and everyone is mourning his passing.Just a wonderful person who I will always remember fondly.RIP my friend !
Steve Mangold
November 21, 2020 @ 7:40 pm
So sorry for the losses this great family has had over the past years. God bless Rick and his loving family and friends. When I tell stories of the old neighborhood and our daily escapades back in “the woods” Rick and the Dobyns family were always included. A lot of great memories along the creek path from Graymill to Ravine court. Peace Rick
Greg Oprysk
November 21, 2020 @ 5:45 pm
I am so deeply sorry for all of our lost; Ricky was always the life of the party. His personality was infectious and always made you feel special. Rick had an uncanny ability even to make complete strangers feel as if they had a long friendship with him. The world has lost someone who made the world a better place. I am devastated and heartbroken about our loss. I still think I must be in a very bad dream and in such disbelief I am numb. My only consolation is that our dear cousin has gone to a better place; reunited with all our family members in heaven. Ricky will be forever in my heart and missed forever.