Wareham, MA — Richard Kirvan, known to many as "Big Rick," "Captain Rick," "Papa" – left this world on October 11, 2024, leaving behind a larger-than-life legacy of love, adventure and compassion.

Rick is predeceased by his beloved parents, Ann & Paul Kirvan; sisters Carol Caskey & Paula Kirvan; and nephews Dallas and Dan Caskey. He is survived by his adored wife of 27 years, Gina Murphy Kirvan; his children, Fred Kirvan and his wife Aimee of Sicklerville, NJ, and Amy Kirvan
and her fiancé Jonny Finity of New Orleans, LA; and his cherished grandchildren, Madison, Anderson, Peyton, and Winston. He also leaves behind his dear nieces and nephew, Paul Corban, Diana Caskey, and Julie Caskey.
Born in New York City on June 28, 1943, Rick grew up in Leonia and Ramsey, New Jersey. He graduated from Ramsey High School and attended Niagara University.

His home was on a golf course and he spent his teenage years following his passion for golf, achieving a remarkable two-handicap. But it was the sea that would inevitably capture his heart. He turned down a golf sponsorship to become a sport fisherman, an endeavor at which – like any- thing that earned his attention – he excelled.
His career was anything but ordinary. After college, he worked as a window washer to skyscrapers, a scaffolding erector at the NY World's Fair, and a trader at the Commodities Exchange in the Twin Towers. But it was in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where he found his true calling as a professional charter boat captain, sharing the thrill of sport fishing with countless clients and friends. He pursued his dream of becoming a licensed captain, spending his career helping others experience the excitement of the open sea. He also competed in numerous fishing tournaments up and down the East Coast. He once landed a 75-pound sailfish with a simple hand line – a trophy that became a mainstay feature in many of his homes.

Later in life, Rick's love for the ocean lured him to Key West, where he built a devoted following for two decades as a fixture behind the bar at Finnegan's Wake and Rick's on Duval St. His famous Bloody Mary's may have brought people in the door, but it was his stories, songs, and booming, raspy laughter that kept them coming back. It was here, in 1997, that he met the love of his life, Gina, in a storybook romance that brought the whole island out to celebrate when they were married. They spent their years in Key West full of love and adventures and making so many amazing friendships and memories.

In 1999, he won the Hemingway Look-Alike Contest, a point of pride among locals who supported him in a spirited campaign to "Keep Papa in the Keys." Rick was also a fierce lover of and advocate for animals; he often played Santa in events to support Friends of Animals. In 2013, Rick and Gina moved to Wareham, MA to be closer to family, but his heart would remain in Key West for the rest of his life.
Rick's affinity for the open ocean was rivaled only by his love of the open road. When he wasn't on the sea, he was fond of impromptu road trips, which he took frequently, solo and with friends, across the United States.

A proud Irishman, Rick often said if you ever needed a friend, you would always find one at the nearest Irish pub. He could regularly be heard crooning Irish ballads with a "touch" of Irish whiskey by his fingertips. When he wasn't singing or telling stories he enjoyed listening to music; he was a big fan of Buckwheat Zydeco, Jimmy Buffet and the Blues. Rick also loved sports and was a die-hard Yankees and Dolphins fan – with a soft spot for the Who Dat nation.

Of all of the achievements Rick enjoyed in his extraordinary life, his children, Freddy and Amy, were by far his proudest. His grandchildren, who affectionately called him Papa, were the light of his life.
Rick's door was open to all, with compassion for friends down on their luck. His humor, laughter, and love of family and friends were constants in his life. He touched more lives and was loved by more people than we will ever know. His memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew him.

Memorials to honor Rick's legacy will be held in Wareham and Key West. For details, or to share memories of Rick's life, visit the Facebook page.