Ricky James Sullivan, 73, died August 19, 2026.

Ricky was a dreamer and an idea man. His mind was always working, usually on a new business idea, a new place to go or something he wanted to try. He appreciated the good things in life—good food, fine dining and travel—but was just as happy with Villa Pizza from Griffith, a Notre Dame football game and the latest drama on television.

Travel was one of Ricky's greatest loves. At one point, he turned that love into work as a travel agent and became the family's resident cruise expert. Over the years, he helped organize numerous spring-break cruises for his daughter Candace, her friends and their children, usually coming along for the fun.

He took Candace on her first cruise and introduced her to fine dining and a love of seeing the world. Years later, he shared those experiences with his granddaughter Beatrice. The three of them logged many hours together on road trips to cruise ports and other adventures. On one particularly long drive, they passed the time making a lip- sync video to Adele's "Hello," assigning everyone parts and singing it over and over until they finally got it right. Bea still has the video.

Some of Candace's favorite memories are from their cruises together. When they were younger, Ricky would keep everyone up long past midnight dancing. In later years, they found a quieter routine: getting up early, grabbing coffee and walking around the ship while watching the sunrise. It gave them plenty of time for one of the things they did best together—talk.

Ricky could listen. Candace could call him at any hour and talk through the same problem as many times as she needed to. He encouraged her ideas, supported her business pursuits and was always one of her biggest cheerleaders. When she was raising Bea on her own, Ricky held an especially important place in their little family. He was thrilled when Joe came into their lives and Candace found the person with whom she wanted to build her life.

Ricky chose Candace's name for the biblical Queen Candace, whom he associated with strength and leadership. He also gave her the much less regal nickname "Scooter" when, as a baby, she decided to scoot around on her belly rather than crawl.

Faith was important to Ricky throughout his life. He was deeply involved in church as a young man and spent a number of years in ministry. He remained an avid reader of Christian books and teachings throughout his life.

Ricky considered himself an entrepreneur and pursued numerous business ideas over the years, including Eco Lifestyle Homes and his interest in environmentally responsible building. He was always thinking about what he might create or do next.

Family was important to Ricky. He was particularly close to his mother, Arlene. Following his father's death, Ricky lived with her for approximately eight years and, alongside his sister Debbie, helped care for her through the final years of her life. His sisters also remember fondly the many holidays spent together as a family, when Ricky made the trip home whenever possible to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas with his parents, sisters and their growing families.

Later, Ricky spent part of his retirement living in Ensenada, Mexico. The move began, appropriately enough, with a cross-country road trip with Candace and Bea—one more adventure they would remember together.

Ricky was preceded in death by his parents, Haskell and Arlene Sullivan. He is survived by his daughter, Candace Swick, and her husband, Joe, and their children, Cody (Heidi) Swick, Tyler (Jessica) Swick, Allison Swick (Alex), Beatrice Swick and Ella Doughtie; his sisters, Debbie (Ronald) Green and Pamela (Ed) Anderson; and seven nieces and nephews as well as six great-nieces and great-nephews.

In the end, his family believes Ricky's greatest legacy isn't found in any of the businesses he started or ideas he pursued. It's in the people he loved and the experiences they shared with him.

Candace and Bea will remember the cruises and road trips, long conversations, basketball games, great meals, sunrise walks with coffee, and even singing Adele far too many times in the car.

And they'll keep traveling. Ricky would like that.

Memorial service will be on Thursday, September 24, starting at 4 PM at Burkhart Funeral Home, led by Father Michael Bower.

A dinner will follow the service at North Cornerstone Church in Linden.