Obituary of Richard Charles Motta

Richard Charles Motta, son of Adeline and Charles Motta, born in San Diego as the oldest of five children in a Point Loma Portuguese family, died peacefully at his home in Las Vegas on Saturday January 23, 2021 at the age of 73, holding the hand of his beloved sister, Therese. Rich leaves his daughters, Alicia Gonzalez and husband Joey, and Andrea Weaver and husband Andre; son Bryan Motta and wife Jenna, as well as 12 grandchildren: granddaughters Haley, Breanna, Rayne, Taylor, Jenelle; and grandsons Brent, Brandon, Nicholas, Daniel, Jacen, Damon, and Bryson. He also leaves behind his three sisters Pauline, Therese and Celine; his brother Mike; many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and -nephews; and countless cousins. Rich attended St. Agnes School and University of San Diego High School, after which he was drafted and answered the call to serve his country in 1967 in South Vietnam. He returned and lived most of his life in the city of San Diego. Rich worked in the sportfishing industry as a young man, became a pipe fitter for the Navy, made many trips working on boats in the San Diego Tuna industry, and eventually, after a severe injury that occurred while repairing a naval vessel, was retrained and spent years teaching adults computer software skills to help them enter the workforce. Upon retiring from teaching and coaching, Rich cared for his mother until she died, and settled in Las Vegas after her death. Although he spent his final years in Las Vegas, Rich felt most at home in and near the waters of San Diego, whether he was swimming with his kids and grandkids, casting his line from the shore or a skiff, or water skiing in the early morning in the bay. He took great pride in teaching his grandchildren to fish alongside him. Rich's true love was competing in sports, both as an athlete and a coach. He was influenced by two coaches whom he played for that guided his beliefs and understanding in sports; Rich himself coached 75 teams over 44 years. The thousands of young men who played for him (primarily football and baseball) had a dramatic impact on his life, as he did on theirs. Rich loved music and had no problem talking about why his favorite artists were better than yours. He never passed up an opportunity to sing, whether alone in his car or in a crowded place. Even after his injury as a young man, he'd force his hurting knees to put up with his dancing, cha-cha-chaing around the house. Rich was a dedicated grandpa, with a greeting that always included a big bear hug. In addition to happily joining every birthday celebration, he would attend at least one performance of his grandkids too-numerous to count ballet and musical theatre productions (even though he was not a fan of ballet or musical theatre) as well as soccer practices and games (even though he was not a fan of soccer). He loved Disney movies and would treat "the whole family" (kids and grandkids included) to the Saturday matinee, where he fed them unending buckets of heavily-buttered popcorn, even grabbing one last refill before walking out at the end. Due to the current status of the pandemic, no services will be held. Condolences may be sent to (Care of) Alicia Gonzalez, PO Box 23756, San Diego, CA 92193.