In Loving Memory of Patrick Michael “Rick” O’Shea (1966–2025)
Patrick Michael O’Shea, known to most simply as Rick, passed away in 2025 at the age of 59. A man of great heart, humour, and humility, Rick lived a life defined by kindness, purpose, and a deep commitment to helping others.
Rick O’Shea
He was a patron of Careif for nearly 20 years, but to all trustees and associates, past and present, he was far more than a title - a trusted mentor, friend, and guide. Rick lived life to the full, following his passions for rugby, golf, and music around the world, always ensuring those around him could share in the fun. He was one of the kindest and most engaging people you could ever meet, leaving behind a remarkable legacy as a mentor and advocate for community causes.
Born on June 8, 1966, Rick built a successful career in construction and civil engineering while grounding his life in compassion and service. Over more than 40 years in the industry, he helped shape communities through the homes, spaces, and opportunities he created - but even more importantly, through the people he uplifted along the way.
As Managing Director of Renelec Groundworks as well as working closely with Zedpods Ltd, Rick was respected for his expertise and admired for his values. He worked on projects ranging from major housing developments to small community-led initiatives, always believing it was about more than bricks and mortar - it was about building lives. Rick gave opportunities to those others had written off, including former prisoners and at-risk youth, mentoring over 30 trainees and sharing not just skills but belief in their potential.
Rick’s generosity extended far beyond his profession. He quietly supported dozens of causes, never seeking recognition, only results. From sponsoring local rugby and cricket clubs to backing players such as Bath Rugby’s Jacobus Coetzee, he believed deeply in the power of sport and community. He organised mental health awareness events through Devizes Rugby Club and supported campaigns addressing prostate cancer, mitochondrial disease, and young people in construction. One of his longest-standing commitments was to Careif, where he served as trustee and later patron, standing alongside its founders from the very beginning and showing up wholeheartedly in countless ways.
Rick had an extraordinary ability to connect with people. Whether on a building site, in a boardroom, beside a rugby pitch, or in a meeting, he made everyone feel seen and heard. He made things happen not through force, but through conviction, loyalty, and humour. Those closest to him knew him as a loving father, a loyal friend, a proud mentor, and someone you could always rely on - who’d show up, sort it out, and never ask for credit. Rick’s legacy cannot be measured in projects completed or titles held, but in lives changed and hearts touched. His absence leaves a hole that cannot be filled, yet his spirit lives on in every life he helped shape.
Careif hopes to honour Rick through a series of awards celebrating his memory and the values he embodied. A golf day will also be held at Bowood Golf Club in his memory. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife Mandy, daughters Rhiannon and Ellie, mother Pam, brother Philip, sister Catherine, and all his nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Rick’s legacy and the impact of his work will continue to live on.
