Richard Triggs' Celebration of Life

To have known Richard was to have known love, kindness, and friendship. Richard was a family man and valued his connection to people. He developed his love and kindness from his mother Elizabeth, his charisma from his father, Donald, and his gentleness and caring-nature from his siblings Jason, Kyle, Donald Jr., David, and Lori. Richard also had this ability to build long-lasting friendships and develop a love of adventure, attributed from his childhood friends: The Rymon Road Boys.

Richard was a Veteran and was proud of the many accomplishments throughout his life. First and foremost, serving in the Navy. Richard enlisted in the Navy on December 8, 2004.

In his own words, "As a young child I watched soldiers in film and television and dreamed of one day wearing the uniform. My brother Donald served in the Airforce and I would talk to him about life in the military. After seeing my country attacked on 9-11, I knew I would make that dream a reality and serve my country. I was committed to serving and protecting the United States."

Richard would tell endless stories of his time in the Navy. He started boot camp at the Great Lakes, Illinois Training Command, before moving on to Pensacola, Florida where he was promoted to E-2 upon enlisting due to having earned his Eagle Scout rank of Boy Scouts of America. After spending 4 weeks at the naval air station, where he participated in the Air Men Apprentice Program, Richard was assigned to the HS3 in Jacksonville, Florida, where he learned how to maintain and service helicopters and assist helicopter captains. Approximately 10 months after joining the Navy, Richard was deployed on the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt, where his tour took him to Spain, Italy, Turkey, Dubai, and the Mediterranean Tour. However, he mostly spent his time serving in the Persian Gulf supporting the Iraq initiative. Richard's primary specialty included DG-9760 Infantry, Gun Crews, and Seamanship Specialist. For his honorable service, he received the National Defense Service Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and his Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

In addition, through working with the Salvation Army, Richard enjoyed being involved and helping people. Everything had a purpose for Richard, and he wanted to do meaningful work. He also loved his dream job with the MTA New York City Transit Authority as a Bus Operator. He was proud to be a Civil Servant. He even recently passed his Dispatcher test, excited to take on a new challenge. Also, working on the farm and being able to use skills he acquired through Boy Scouts, the Navy, and his vast knowledge of tradesman skills to fix, and build anything was a great passion of his.

Lastly, Richard was altruistic through-and through, and always showed love through his actions. Richard was always there at the right time. He had this great ability to always make time for you if you asked for him. Richard's presence always left a mark every place he went. This characteristic of Richard's also showed through his love of nature, caring of his dogs: Zombie and Silo, or saving turtles and baby birds during the summer.

At this time, Richard's Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring. As we get things prepared, we will be sure to post the date.

Contributions will be dispersed in the following ways:

Funeral Home & Cremation: $3,500

Celebration of Life Service: $2,500

Memorial Tree and Garden: 1,000

Please check here regularly for updates. Also, feel free to leave your thoughts, pictures, or videos of great memories that you shared with Richard so we may include them in his celebration.

John 5:12 “This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you."

Matthew 5:52, NIV “Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”

Thank you for your love, compassion, and support. God Bless.