Let's Remember the Good Times
 Marilyn (Sunshine) Grande - PVNN
Richard Kaplan is gone. He left this planet on Dec 31st, as we were celebrating the New Year, he was leaving for another adventure. I'm sure he would have wanted to go out with a bang, with the fireworks, the celebrations, the parties.
He was that kind of guy, loved to make people happy, loved to celebrate; a man none of us will ever forget. Some say he was an arrogant man, full of himself. Others say he was the sweetest, kindest man they ever met. I only had known and loved this man for a few years, but I can tell you, I agree with the ones who say he was a wonderful man.
We will always remember him, running around in his cute little turquoise Safari, singing and playing beautiful music at Playa de Oro, floating on a little green raft in the pool at Bay View Grand, performing weddings on our beaches...
He loved children, always smiling and winking at them. A little girl asked once, if he was Santa Claus, so he sang "Jingle Bells" for her. He was always singing, "You are my Sunshine" for me. He took me to "Eddie's Factory", and had a special ring made to match his. It was difficult for him to bend and move much, but he got on his knees and asked me to accept the ring.
Richard's gift to all of us in Vallarta was his beautiful voice, his talent, and his sparkling smile. I understand that, many years ago, when Vallarta was just a little fishing village, the whole town ran out of toothpaste. Richard went to the Captain of a cruise ship, bought all of their toothpaste, and distributed it to the people here.
He wrote the song "Vallarta," and presented the tape to John Houston. John liked it so much, he presented it to the city fathers, and it is still our city's song. The music lives on.
Richard loved Mexico, wanted to never leave Puerto Vallarta. He always had a few pesos for the "Marias" on the streets, and everyone in this town knew him. We are all going to miss this great, talented man; he gave so much to our heritage in this town. As Jackie Gleason said, "Let's remember the good times."
Celebrating the Life of Richard Kaplan
Join Richard's family and friends at El Dorado Restaurant on Thursday February 9th, at 5 PM as we celebrate the life and times of Richard Kaplan, whose larger-than-life personality and love for Vallarta earned him the title "The Mayor of Margaritaville."
If you would like to share your memories and anecdotes regarding the life and times of Richard Kaplan with our readers, send an email to the BanderasNews Team at memoriam@banderasnews.com. |
Vallarta Weddings
News from Around Banderas Bay | February 2006 
Peter Wells Scott - In Memoriam of
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