KINGSTON — Ricky Candrilli

of Kingston slowly succumbed at Newton County Nursing Home on March 1, 2023, at age 74. As the life force seeped out of his being from an unkind disease, A.L.S.

Born on Michaelmas, September 29, 1948, in Portsmouth, Va., to D.E. Minton, Jr. and Marie Candrilli.

Ricky was a survivor of the Vietnam War in 1968, and a survivor of the Woodstock Nation Summer of 1969. As a young back-to-land hippie in the early 70’s, he settled a long Felkins Creek, making it his home place for the past 48 years. Living true to his roots, he was an organic gardener, vegetarian, and a gentle person of the earth. Along with his loving wife, Ginger Candrilli, they co-created with nature a magical space to enjoy the beauty of life. Also, Ginger and Ricky together became lifetime Washington County Master Gardeners, N.W. Arkansas Master Naturalist, volunteering countless hours giving back to the community.

Choosing a lifestyle off the grid, the gardens fulfilled a deeper need, while seasonal jobs to earn money kept his feet on the earth. Ricky was known as a digging fool “Zen of Digging”. He was extremely resourceful, few examples, salvaging two three-story old houses, a lifetime supply of foundation materials from the old tune concrete, hundreds of discarded fence posts from the Dura post in Rogers, 166 tons of composted horse manure “Back Gold” that was hauled out of Fayetteville.

Ricky was able to build their homeplace using new and recycled materials, creating nine structures working with basic hand tools as a self-taught carpenter.

Ricky loved to party and dance. He enjoyed live music, hiking these rough Ozark Hills, or simply sitting on the porch.

He is survived by his wife Ginger; five siblings, Dave, Janice, and Nancy of Raleigh, N.C., Raymond of Cocoa Beach, Fla., and Michael of New Orleans, La.

Ricky’s ashes will rest in the Holler while his spirit travels into the cosmic beyond.

Online condolences may be left at www.coffmanfh.com.