Baron Riccardo Carini, a dear friend of Fr. Brennan and the founder of the Thai Children’s Trust passed away on 24 March 2014. The Pattaya Orphanage, Human Help Network and all the children he has helped over the years are grateful for his dedicated help and support.
Ricardo Carini was born in London in 1930 to Italian parents and had one younger brother. He was a very talented and sophisticated man who had a gift for business. His brother Romolo and he set up as a “confirming house” which ran very well and enabled him to retire in his early fifties.
Baron Riccardo Carini 12th May 1930 – 24th March 2014
At this point it must have been destiny that Riccardo Carini heard about Pattaya from a friend who had been there since 1965. When he arrived in 1982 the pleasant little fishing village, however, had turned in to a big city. A stewardess suggested visiting the Pattaya Orphanage, which was run by the priest Fr. Raymond Brennan. He immediately felt close to the Pattaya Orphanage. He left the Orphanage by telling Fr. Brennan that he won’t write a cheque today, it will make him forget about this special place. He wants to worry and to do something more useful.
His way of helping in a sustainable way was to establish the Pattaya Orphanage Trust, which is now called Thai Children’s Trust. He served as director, trustee and latterly president for the rest of his life.
During the deep friendship between him and Fr. Brennan they managed to achieve numerous of things. They founded the schools for the blind, deaf and children with disabilities. You could say they started an awareness of the problems children with disability have and a change in attitude towards them.
The Pattaya Orphanage Trust was so successful that he was able to found a French Charity, the “Les Amis de l’Orphalinat de Pattaya”, which also dedicated their help to children of Thailand.
Riccardo Carini’s achievements did not go unrecognized. He was appointed Knight of St. Gregory by the Holy See and advanced to Knight Commander with star. He also was a member of the Order of the Direkgunabhorn by HM the King of Thailand.
Thousands of children in Thailand have reason to be grateful to Riccardo Carini and he will stay in everlasting memory.
“Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him; may he rest in peace. Amen.”
