Ricardo Emerson Bezerra, 73, passed away peacefully at home in Centreville, DE, on March 8, 2026. His life was rich with love of family, friends, and exciting experiences. With his eclectic taste in music and his love of cars, gardens, and history, he touched many lives.
He was predeceased by his father Joao Jonas Bezerra, his mother Maria Monteiro Horsey, and his stepfather Jack Horsey. Ricardo married Gayle Croes in 1986 after a 5-year courtship. They remained lovingly devoted to each other until he parted.
Ricardo’s career as a drummer spanned several decades, performing in studios and local clubs. His love of music and his drumming expertise took him to interesting places and led him to collaborate locally and nationally with other talented musicians. He enjoyed playing and listening to music from diverse genres.
Ricardo began working as an estate manager in Centreville in the 1980s. He took classes at Longwood Gardens to learn about horticulture. From this experience grew an appreciation for gardening and attention to detail on the estate where he worked caring for the house and gardens for 30 years.
Gayle and Ricardo both enjoyed a passion for preserving heirloom plants from family and friends, which literally grew into a special garden of their own to enjoy year-round. In their spare time when they weren’t perfecting their garden, they were tooling around together in their Alfa Romeo car, top-down, on the scenic back roads of the Brandywine Valley.
Ricardo often quoted a lyric from one of his favorite bands, “If the snakes don’t get you, swallowtails will.” After a lengthy illness, Ricardo finally succumbed to Lewy body dementia at home with Gayle and his sister Monica by his side. In addition to Gayle, he is survived by his brother Julio Bezerra, his sister Monica Weber (Don), his brother-in-law Bob Croes (Sue), his sister-in-law Deb Sagrera (Keith), and nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A private gathering honoring his memory will be planned and announced later to close friends and family.
Donations in Ricardo’s memory can be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association or to the American Brain Foundation.
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