Obituary of Richard E. Covil

Richard Eugene Covil, affectionately known as “Old Man” was born on February 12, 1951, in Norfolk, Virginia, to Erma and James C. Covil, Sr., as the eldest of four sons and one daughter. Richard spent most of his early years with his family in the Berkley section of Norfolk before relocating to Boston, Massachusetts. Richard was loving in his own way as he became older. With the sadness of the loss of loved ones he started to embrace family more and more. With that love came realness. From a youth, he was a no-nonsense person; and if you asked for his opinion, you had better be ready for his honest response, he did not sugarcoat anything or make things nice. He told you exactly what he thought, for better or worse – take it or leave it. Richard attended Boston Public Schools at the James P. Timilty Middle School and Jamaica Plain High School and had a special love for the Bromley Heath Community. Over the years Richard’s places of employment included The City of Boston – Parks and Recreation, Liberty Mutual, National Liquidators, Reggie Lewis Project New Life and a nursing home. Richard is the father of six daughters and one son and; loved each of his children differently in his own unique way; and maintained special relationships with their mothers. On Wednesday, October 19, 2022; at 7:31 pm, with his loved ones around his bed, God gently touched Richard “Old Man” Covil and welcomed him into eternal rest. Richard is preceded in death by his mother – Erma Covil Hooker; father – James Columbus Covil, Sr.; step-father – James Hooker; brothers – Anthony Michael Covil, James Columbus Covil, Jr., Reginald Marcel & Sheila Covil, Shawn Davis and other loved ones too numerous to name. Those remaining to cherish precious memories and who will miss him dearly include his children, grandchildren and great grands: Daughters: Natasha Steele-Graves (Cyral); her children: CediRick T. Steele (deceased) and Deshawn M. Steele and her granddaughter: Nyoki C. Steele; Devonna Armstrong; her children: Miquera Brown, Malakyne Brown and Jayden Armstrong; Raeshaunna Armstrong Joyce (Christopher (deceased)); her children: Christopher Darnell Joyc, Jr. (deceased), Courtney Danell Armstrong Joyce, Christopher Darnell Joyce, III (deceased) and Courtae Danae Armstrong Joyce; Tamika Ivey; her children: Knijia Williams, Knyzhaun Ivey, Knykenji Drayton, and Knyyuri Ivey and her grandchildren Knyijere Ivey and Knyzhaun Ivey, Jr.; Regina Armstrong; her children: Dejhaunna Howard, Justice Searcy, Justin Searcy and Carlee Armstrong Searcy; Shateira Badgett; her son: Zayvion Cruse; Son: Harkim Tarnza Handsboro; his children: Harkim Tarnza Handsboro I. and Kamil Michelle Handsboro and his Granddaughter: Kaylani Kalea Laverne Handsboro Siblings: Pauline R. Covil-Hunt (William), Linda & Rolland Bland, Brenda Oliver, Teryl Mimms, Katie & Gary Gaines and Rosa Mayfield; sister-in-law: Carol Swain; aunt – Christine Peele; uncles - Darnell and Willie Lee Covil; nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and a host of cousins, extended family and friends including lifetime friends – Robert Lewis, Michael Bigby, Mane Brown, Darnell Bishop, The Lewis Family, The Barrows Family and Tricia from Malden. A letter to my big brother Richard,  This is one of the hardest letters I’d think ever I’d have to write. Not only were you my big brother, you were my biggest protector as well. At one point I never thought I would get a boyfriend, considering you scared half of them away. Your stubbornness is something I learned to deal with, but inspite of it I never stopped loving you. If anything it brought us closer because I knew accepting was the only way to learn to live with it. If nothing else it made our bond closer and our love stronger. You never had a filter and would say and do the unpredictable, that is what i’ll miss most about you. To God be the honor and the glory in knowing one day that i will see all my brothers again. I love you Richard.  Love Your Little Sister,  Pauline