Loving, protective and funny: Winnipeg man killed remembered by family
Posted June 20, 2024 4:31 pm.
Last Updated June 20, 2024 7:13 pm.
People close to a 49-year-old Winnipeg father, who was killed while he was on his way to a school to meet his young son, said his death has affected many communities in Manitoba.
Ricky Mancheese was walking down Kennedy Street on his way around the corner to Sister MacNamara School, when he was attacked. He was taken to hospital in critical condition, where he was pronounced dead.
“I know Ricky and his family lived up the street … He talked a lot about his son and supporting him, picking him up from school,” said Luanne Karn.
Karn, a recently retired teacher, said she knew Mancheese well. He was finishing his high school credits and for two years, she saw him in her classroom 5 days a week.
“He was like a gentle giant, he was so big [and] tall but also extremely loving and gentle and supportive and I knew he would want to make sure those that he left behind would have a community to support them,” she said.
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Karn describes Mancheese as a supportive student, always encouraging his fellow students and even faculty. She said he was very protective over the people he knew, and he was ready to protect people for a living; Mancheese was working towards becoming a security guard.
Karn said upon the news of his death, his school family — students and faculty — was also deeply affected.
“He was succeeding, and yet a random act of senseless, senseless violence, which we are seeing all too much in the city of Winnipeg these days,” explained Karn.
The funeral for Mancheese was held on Wednesday evening, and Karn said at least 100 people attended. Family, friends and neighbours, said Karn.
“That’s what helps us get through this kind of trauma and tragedy, is being with our community. He was a part of a lot of people’s lives.”
Karn said the timing of Mancheese’s death hit the community particularly hard. Within the next couple of weeks, Mancheese was due to complete his education. His son, Quentin, is also about to graduate into junior high.
Through Karn, Mancheese’s wife, Shirley Perrault gave a statement to CityNews.
“I just wanted to share that Rick wanted to better himself and was proud of moving forward, and that was taken from him. His life revolved around his son Quentin. He was loving, protective and funny. If you were feeling down, he would try and cheer you up. I couldn’t go anywhere with him without someone saying hi and chatting with him. Quentin was described as a social butterfly, which he most definitely got from his father. He was very loved. We miss him.”
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