Eric "Rick" Douglas McQuaide

Rick is survived by his brother, Fred, of Long Valley, N.J. and Margate, Fl; his sister Gail, of Margate, Fl; his sister Mary Anne of Waynesville, N.C. and several nieces and nephew. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Margaret McQuaide of Margate, Fl.

Rick immigrated from Canada with his parents and sister, Gail, in 1957 to N.J. where other family resided with hopes of more advanced help for his cerebral palsy, which he was born with. They first resided in a cold-water flat on Summit Ave in Union City and moved around the corner to Kerrigan Ave after Fred and Mary Anne were born.

Rick attended A. Harry Moore School in Jersey City during his younger years before his disability worsened and finished with a high school diploma with the help of tutors, ending with Herman Johnson, whom Rick was fond of. Rick attended United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) in Hoboken, N.J. which his dad helped found.

Rick loved sitting out front of the house and enjoyed conversation with all his neighbors. He loved going for walks and to the shopping malls with his siblings as well as flying kites and building model cars and rockets with his brother. He relaxed to a tropical fish tank in his bedroom. Rick was the only “Avon” man that was in town, handling his customers by phone.

In the early 80’s Rick moved to Florida with his family. Dad was amazing at getting Rick set up with all kinds of technology including his electric sip and puff wheelchair, and a lift in the home which transported him from the family room to the bedroom Dad constructed for him in the garage area. After attending UCP in Florida for several years, Dad founded H.A.P.P.Y., Handicapped Artists Painting Productions and You, with Rick at his side, and Rick enjoyed being an artist for many years. He met and traded paintings with Bob Ross and represented Florida as a handicapped artist in Washington, D.C. Rick enjoyed operating his computer with his only usable finger and a roller mouse and mastered programmable remotes by feel on his lap to control the TV, stereo and recording devices. He later added Alexa to his favorite devices, controlling lights and making phone calls. Rick’s aides were his angels in latter years as Mom’s body weakened.

Rick enjoyed traveling in his special van to N.J. to visit his brother and old friends, as well as the Central House in Beach Lake, Pa. and Maine and Canada, where family cherished his visits. He also enjoyed Disney World, the Las Vegas Strip, Maui, Puerto Rico and England. Even recently, Rick enjoyed going to car shows, music venues and eating out!

Rick was an amazing gift from God that we will never forget and forever miss.

My Wheelchair has Wings

By Rick McQuaide

My wheelchair has wings.

To take me to new places,

see old friends and greet new faces.

Yes, I can do many things on my own

because my wheelchair has wings…

But deep in side of me,

I have the wings…

A visitation for Rick will be held Thursday, November 9, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Kraeer Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 1 North State Road 7, Margate, FL 33063. A funeral mass will occur Friday, November 10, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church, 1400 S. State Rd. 7, N. Lauderdale, FL 33068. A graveside service will occur Friday, November 10, 2023 from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1500 S. State Rd. 7, N. Lauderdale, FL 33068.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kraeermargate.com for the McQuaide family.