I think that I have never seem such a cheap and discussing display of lack of respect that I have seen at my husband's funeral today. After serving Super Boat International and being loyal to John Carbonell for 25 years, no one from that organization even sent flowers let alone showed up at his funeral. Why he ever wasted so much time on such ungrateful people I don't know. If he was alive he would have been extremely hurt and devastated, but I can only say I have never seen an offshore fraternity so cheap and disrespectful as you people have been. I am appalled at your actions and your lack of honor to a man that made all of you racers look good and special. You let him down big time! John you and your organization should be ashamed of yourselves and everyone connected with it! To think that you once told Rickey that he was your best friend. What a lie. The only people that showed up were POPRA people. The only flowers came from Stan Fitts of APBA. You people are a sick joke.

Sharon

Sharon,

I'm sorry to be reading this... Vapor Trails was my first exposure to offshore racing. I always enjoyed reading it and browsing all the photos. He truly loved the sport. A lot has changed since those days. I am sorry for your loss.

Sharon,

Sorry to hear this, Mr Rickey was loved by us all, To be honest with you, when I got the e-mail, I showed it to my wife, who her and her friends had met Mr Rickey in Marathon 3 or so years ago, and we didnt know you all were from Cali, until then, but had it been closer to FL, we would have been there. I apologize in being very busy lately, and didnt think of sending flowers. Sorry for your loss, Mr Rickey was a great person, and will be missed.

Rick Boulier
AMF offshore, P-4something.

Our heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
So sorry to hear of Mr. Rickey's passing. I just found out while reading this post!
We knew him since about 1994 and would see him all over the country at whichever race we were at.
He will be missed.
Georges and Beverly

I am very sorry for loss. It was my honor to meet Mr. Rickey a couple of times at races over the years. He was truly a ambassador to our sport. I still have the first Vapor Trails that I got at the first Offshore Boat race I attended in the 1990's.

When I first read of his condition back in may I tried to send a e-mail with my thoughts and prayers but for some reason it did not go through. And from the outpouring of well wishes here on Offshoreonly, I'm sure others tried as well.

I'm glad to see that you now are a member of Offshoreonly and I will post some links that were on here so you can read all of the posts that people wrote.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...ghlight=rickey

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...ghlight=rickey

I hope Rickey knows how many people are mourning his passing and how we will all feel the loss at every awards ceremony and whenever we see an old issue of Vapor Trails.

He was one of a kind and I have seen him in his moments of over-the-top teasing, to his vulnerability during more serious times.
I've known Rickey for 18 years, and I was one of his favorite targets for much of his teasing, he knew I could take it, and, give it back,... so I must admit......... I'm going to miss that.

From my view from race control, my memory of him will be of a man in a white suit and hat, standing on a pier, or in the hot sun and sand on many beaches, shooting pictures and answering questions from the spectators around him. I don't know how he did it.

Every SBI staff member at one time or another, has been on the phone giving him directions to drive from an airport or picked him up in the middle of the night.
We shared sandwiches, banquets, anniversaries, and many birthday cakes with him, his and ours, and he got to watch our children and grandchildren grow up, and we were always thrilled when he made them "baby of the month" and when they got married, he made them "Mr. Rickey's couple of the month".

We have laughed with him until we couldn't breathe, and shed tears with him when there were sadder times.

He loved all the racing families and he was respected by all for his dedication to promoting the sport. They are spread all over the country, and their grief of hearing of his loss is mutual.

I wish I could have been at the memorial but I want him to know that my tribute to him will be to repeat the funny stories that happened over the years........and keep bringing up his name.....and I'm bringing some OLD issues of Vapor Trails to Sarasota (in registration) for people to see..........
.............I think he would like that.
Rest in peace Rickey...............Pat

Very Sorry for your loss. Jo

Some of my very first ideas about getting into racing were beacause I saw pics in Vaportrails.
MD

Mr. Rickey always picked David and I out at the races to pick on us or just offer pictures he had taken. I knew of his illness but only found out of his passing after reading your post. I thought a lot of Rickey and what he did for Offshore Racing. He will be greatly missed. Roger Ausley

Please accept our condolences for your loss of Mr. Rickey. We joined Offshore Only today and just now learned of Mr. Rickey's passing. He always had a smile to share with Team Crazy Chicken. He will be missed.