Rick Acuña

Enrique "Rick" Gilbert Acuna passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 23, 2023, at the age of 47 at his family's home in La Habra, CA. He was the proud son of his late parents, Gilbert Acuna and Mary Lou Acuna (Fuentes), a dedicated father to his surviving children, Logan and Kira Acuna, and a beloved husband and best friend to his surviving wife, Laura Acuna (Latterman). He is additionally survived by his godchildren and cousins, Lilly Salazar and Joel Vergara, as their cherished Nino, and by his honorary "niece" and cousin, Maliyah Fitzpatrick (Jones).

Rick was born and raised in Santa Ana, CA, on December 27, 1975, and spent his life living throughout Orange County, CA in Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, San Juan Capistrano, and finally settling into his family's "forever home" in La Habra in 2020. He met his wife, Laura, in September 2012 and they were married on September 19, 2015. Rick worked as a courier for Federal Express for 20 years before becoming a full-time father to his and Laura's children, first to Logan in January 2018, then later to Kira in January 2022. As proud as he was of his career with FedEx, nothing could hold a candle to his love and joy of fatherhood to his Wolverine and Gelfling.

Rick was a grand collector of both nerdy items of value and silly trinkets of sentiment. His comic book collection was admirable, but he held memories created and shared with his loved ones in even more esteem. Rick was known equally for his goofy sense of humor, frequently sending fart recordings to friends, and his genuine compassion, often surprising friends going through rough times with homemade oatmeal cookies. He was a veritable encyclopedia of 80's music, film quotes, and video game trivia. His passion, his kindness, his mind, his cookies, and even his farts, are missed.

Rick was laid to rest on March 3, 2023, at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Orange, CA, with a view of the hills. Family and friends gathered to celebrate his life by playing his favorite music while decorating his casket with written memories and sentiments, stickers and magnets of significance, and tears of love. Rick, ever the collector, is interred in the Mount of Olives section in his very own and everlasting storage unit (crypt 919A). He is missed and loved, mourned and celebrated, and forever treasured and remembered.