Richard Burton 'Ricky' Hazzard, 38

OCALA, Fla. - Richard Burton "Ricky" Hazzard, of Ocala, and formerly of Milton, Del., died tragically, in an automobile accident, in Weeki Wachee, on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009. He was 38. Ricky was the son of Melissa L. Wilkerson of Citrus Springs, and Richard M. Hazzard of Milford, Del. Ricky was a 1988 graduate of Cape Henlopen High School and had attended the University of Delaware. He was currently employed with AT & T Mobility in Ocala, as a Supervising Manager, and had been with the company for the past 5 and a half years. Prior to moving to Florida in 2003, Mr. Hazzard was employed by the U.S. Postal Service in Lewes, Del. Mr. Hazzard's hobbies included cooking and gardening. He was also a computer wizard and loved exploring and solving computer problems both at work and at home. His maternal grandparents, Allen and Margaret James and Everett M. "Hick" Wilkerson of Milton; and paternal grandparents, Walter and Jean Hazzard of Milford, preceded him in death. He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Melissa Wilkerson and Bruce Schlimme of Citrus Springs; father and stepmother, Richard and Carla Hazzard of Milford; his identical twin brother, Robert E. Hazzard of Tampa; and his life partner, Michael Berrettini of Ocala. Rick is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends in Delaware and all his friends that he acquired since relocating to Florida. A funeral service will be 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, in the chapel of Short Funeral Services, 416 Federal Street, Milton, where friends may call after 11 a.m. Burial will be in Henlopen Memorial Park, Milton. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Milton Garden Club, c/o Jennifer Brengle, 11 Mayfair Lane, Lewes, DE 19958.