BOWDOIN — Karen Paraskevakos fought back tears as she answered the phone Tuesday evening. Just hours after learning that the driver involved in the fatal crash with her 25-year-old son, Richard, was charged with operating under the influence, the Bowdoin woman wanted nothing more than to remember her son as she loved him best.
"He's got two kids. Well, he's got one on the way and a 2½-year-old daughter," Paraskevakos said. "That was his whole life. He loved being a dad."
She shared fond memories of the young man she said wanted nothing more than to work with his father's family business from the time he was 15 years old, stepped up to the plate when his first child was born and was making wedding plans for next summer following the birth of his second child with fiancée Marissa Winkler.
Richard Paraskevakos died Monday night as the result of a 6:45 p.m. crash on Route 125 in Bowdoin. Wade Foster, 35, of Lewiston turned left in front of the Lisbon man and was later charged with operating under the influence, police said.
"This morning when I woke up, I was kind of feeling sorry for this guy," Karen Paraskevakos said of Foster. "And then I found out he was drunk, and I'm not sorry for him anymore. I'm not a vengeful person. I don't want to see him dead for taking my son, but I want to see him punished."
Paraskevakos called her son's daughter and unborn child his greatest pleasures in life. She said her granddaughter spent every weekend with her son and that he looked forward to the following Friday every Sunday when he dropped her off.
"He lived for his daughter on the weekend," Paraskevakos said through sobs giving way to chuckles as she talked about her son's relationship with his daughter. "He spoiled her. He just couldn't say no to her. She'd say 'Daddy want that,' and he'd just pull over and buy it for her."
She said that her son and granddaughter even carved pumpkins the previous weekend.
In addition to motorcycles, Paraskevakos said her son was also into bike riding and even bought a child seat so that he could take his daughter out on the trails in Lisbon. He was also a big New England Patriots fan and diehard NASCAR follower, especially of driver Jeff Gordon.
Richard Paraskevakos worked for his father's business, SKP Siding,
from the time he was 15 years old and even opted to go to work full
time for his dad rather than go to college.
"He just never had a bad word no matter what anybody said to him," Karen Paraskevakos said of her son's even temper. "He'd apologize even if it wasn't his fault. He had a heart of gold and would give the shirt off his back for people."
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It is a very sad day for
It is a very sad day for this young child to not yet know what it is like to be without her daddy. I would tell you that Wade Foster certainly knows what it is like .He is not a bad person.He is a good person who loves his children dearly . As we pray for Richards family please remember that Wade is someone son and father too and a child of god also. we all make bad choices and some have permanent consequences . Unfortunateley this is one of those times .God Bless all.
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When you choose to drink and then drive and someone dies, that is murder and that drunk driver should be treated as any other premeditated murderer.
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my heart goes out to this young mans family, and I hope the laws for DUI are changed to put these people away for a long enough time to let them think about what they have done and maybe get help for their problem....nothing seems to sink into these peoples heads about driving drunk...
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vink80
people who drink and drive never quit ----- pull the license and they drive any way ---- most of these people are not needed in our society BRING BACK THE DEATH PENALTY---- SAVE LIVES & REDUCE THE COST OF SUPPORTING LIFERS IN OUR OVER CROWDED JAILS.
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vink80
people who drink and drive never quit ----- pull the license and they drive any way ---- most of these people are not needed in our society BRING BACK THE DEATH PENALTY---- SAVE LIVES & REDUCE THE COST OF SUPPORTING LIFERS IN OUR OVER CROWDED JAILS.
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I didn't know Richie that well, but my 2 sons did and loved spending time with him talking about wrestling. My family sends our condolences as well. R.I.P Richie
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every one who has lost someone to a druck driver knows how this feels, its so sad and tragic to all that are involved, there is never a happy ending and lives are never the same, but if just one person learns from it, then it is not totally in vain. Our prayers are with the familys.
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My condolances to Richard's family. He sounds like he was a guy everyone would love to know.
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My condolences to the family & all who knew this young man.
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Richie was the sweetest guy and Karen is completely right that he NEVER had a bad word to say about anyone. He was always such a happy guy and loved his little girl with all his heart. His smile could light up a whole room. Our family will always miss and love Richie.
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So Sad.
God bless and comfort all of you during this painful time. I hope that you can find joy and peace in the memories of Richard.
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"No one is rich enough to do without a neighbor." ~ Danish Proverb
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