ROCKLAND — Richard V. Procopio, 73, died Friday, January 17, 2020, at the Sussman House in Rockport, after an extended illness.

Known for his self-deprecating humor and his love of buxom women, Richard always thought he lived a charmed life. The only son of Americo and Elizabeth Ann Barletta Procopio, Richard readily admits he was spoiled as a child and very much thought he should be.

In his youth he thought maybe he was destined for greatness, but soon realized that maybe he would just do a couple of good things in his life and that would be fine.

He did a number of things in his life – taught, photographed, developed a line of greeting cards, etc., but he realized that the most important thing about his life was that he loved and was loved. Everything else was secondary.

Before he died, he acknowledged that there were a few things he would miss: listening to the music his talented son had created; the fishing trips out west with his fishing buddies; the love and kindness of his good friends and Sunday afternoons taking his wife out for a crab roll and then exploring the alcoves of Lobster Lane Book Store for hidden gems. Most of all he will miss looking into his wife’s beautiful eyes.

To all his friends and family, he doesn’t want them to be sad (though he does want to be missed), but wishes them all the happiness, joy, and love he had in his life.

Richard is survived by his beloved wife, Cheryl Michels of Rockland, and his beloved son, Jon-Michael Procopio, of New York City.

No services will be held at this time.

Those who wish may make memorial donations to Pope Memorial Humane Society of Knox County, P.O. Box 1294, Rockland, ME 04841, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 338105.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland. To share a memory or story with Richard’s family, visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.