Richard "Ricky" Paul Martello, Jr.

Richard Paul Martello, Jr., 24, beloved son of Nancy Phillips and the late Peter Maffiola, took his own life on May 8, 2022 with his sister Shawnia.

Ricky grew up in Rowley and was well liked by everyone who met him.  He went to the Pine Grove School and kept busy with cub scouts, play dates and baseball.  He LOVED baseball, both watching it and playing it.  He was a good all around player and played catcher for a couple of seasons.  Watching him play was one of my favorite things because he was so joyful. One of my favorite pictures of him is a town league baseball picture. His grin is as big as the sky.  I delivered newspapers and he would come with me.  Many of our former customers will probably remember him bringing their paper to the door or riding around on his scooter or bike while I delivered.  He went on to Triton Regional where he really started to struggle.  Ricky did not finish but did go on to take his High School Equivalency Test and passed.  I was so proud of him because it took guts to go back and do that.

He got his first job at the Village Pancake house in Rowley as a dishwasher.  He really liked it and eventually moved up to cooking - and he was good at it.  Ricky cooked at a number of local restaurants.  His real interest was in engine repair but he never got the chance to try his hand at it.

Ricky was the joy of my life but in the last 5 or 6 years his life spiraled out of control.  He struggled with drug addiction and depression and I tried to encourage him and love him out of it. I think in the end he was just so tired and sick and worn down that he couldn't hang on any longer.  He was a beautiful man, an old soul and I will never stop thinking about him as my sweet boy.  He was funny and emotional and compassionate. I hope he is at peace now, no longer suffering and sick and with Daddy & Bear.

Please be kind to each other.  You never know what someone is struggling with.  A smile and a hello can go a long way.

Ricky leaves behind four siblings: Christopher Brown, Laura Rutherford, Tracie Rutherford and Shawn Rutherford.

Family and friends may call on Wednesday May 18, 2022 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at the Twomey, LeBlanc, & Conte Funeral Home 193 High St. Newburyport, MA 01950. Services and burial will be private. THERE IS NO LONGER ANY PARKING AVAILABLE BEHIND THE FUNERAL HOME PER ORDER OF THE CITY OF NEWBURYPORT.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his memory to the MSPCA, Seeds of Hope, 35 South Street, Biddeford Maine, or a local charity of your choice.

For directions or to offer online condolence please visit www.tlcfuneralhome.com

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