It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Richard (Rick) Cepella on his 70th birthday. He was in hospital surrounded by family.
Beloved son of the late Otto Mario Cepella and the late Adele Cepella (née Huslak). Dear brother of Otto Joseph, Susan, Robert and Mark. Uncle to Gabrielle, Saskia, Zoe, Fraser, Connor, Xavier and Maxine. Nephew to Daisy (née Cepella) and George Kovacs and to Val (née Huslak) and Holly Betaudier. Loving friend to so many. He will be lovingly remembered by many friends in his outdoors and artist community groups.
Born in Toronto, Rick was a high-caliber athlete and recognized public speaker. He was a painter, art instructor and cartoonist/illustrator living in Powell River.
Always a brilliant and engaging conversationalist, Rick was noted for the great interest he always took in others. His paintings are expressive reactions to the wild landscape as well as the human form. Decades of outdoor activities, twelve years of work as a biological surveyor and countless hours of field drawing and painting in the rugged backcountry of Western Canada continued to shape his work.
He actively showed, taught and lectured at public art institutions across BC. His cartoons and graphic art have been in more than 20 single and group exhibitions across Canada, including faculty shows for the Kootenay School of Art, Victoria College of Art, Red Deer College of Art, the Association of Canadian Editorial Cartoonists and others.
Rick taught art to thousands of students for over 35 years at numerous art schools, public art galleries and in the public school system. He taught at the Okanagan School of the Arts, Selkirk College and the Kootenay School of Art, among others.
Rick was an award-winning cartoonist/illustrator published in many major Canadian newspapers and magazines. His cartoon and illustration work garnered several national and international awards and is in the permanent collection of the National Archives of Canada. He studied visual art and design at the University of British Columbia, the University of Ottawa, and Emily Carr College of Art and Design, and attended and was an artist in residence at a number of artist residencies in BC.
Friends may attend an art exhibit featuring Rick’s work at the qathet Art Centre, Powell River. A celebration of life at one of Rick’s favourite fishing holes in Powell River will take place at a date to be confirmed in September 2025.
The family would like to extend our deepest appreciation for the care provided by qathet General Hospital, with special appreciation for Dr. Gambling.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Lyme Disease Research Network, Canadian Cancer Society, qathet Art Centre or qathet General Hospital are appreciated.
