Remembering Randy Wickersham: A Tribute to a Lifelong Friend
This past Christmas, I lost a very important person in my life: my dear friend Randy Wickersham. Randy wasn’t just a friend; he was like a big brother who guided my life, supported my creative pursuits, and helped open doors I never imagined. His influence left a lasting mark on me.
I first met Randy in the ’80s when I was around 12. He worked at The Entertainment Stop, the video store next to one of my mom’s restaurants, and let me hang out there after school. Randy’s crazy knowledge of movies and his endless patience made him the perfect mentor for a kid with a passion for film. Without a Dad or role models in my life, Randy naturally filled that role. He even taught me a bit about hustling, letting me rent out hand written NES game guides I made for classics like Zelda and Metroid. (Yes, I was a fucking dork even back then.)
Later Randy moved on to Spinnaker Records, Cape Cod’s only true music store and my personal refuge. It wasn’t just a store; it was a safe space where I could escape my rough home life and explore music and movies under Randy’s guidance. He always seemed to know exactly what I needed to hear or watch. My friends and I spent countless hours there, soaking up his wisdom. I’ll never forget going to Boston with Randy as a teen to see Björk. A memory I’ll always treasure.
As a young adult, Randy hooked me up with a life changing opportunity: a job traveling the movie, comic, and convention circuit selling bootleg VHS tapes haha. The chance to explore the US alone for the first time and see places I’d never dreamed of visiting was insane, all thanks to his belief in me. It was a crazy time to say the least and filled with unforgettable stories.
Even after moving away, Randy remained a constant presence. Every visit home began with a visit to Spinnakers to share a big hug with my pal Randy. Since moving back, our connection picked up like no time had passed at all. One of my proudest moments was getting to design the new logo for Spinnaker Records. Over the years, I’ve created countless shirts, stickers, and hoodies for the store, which kept us in regular contact.
In the beginning of December, we had our last conversation via text. He didn’t share with me how much he was struggling with his health. His sudden passing over Christmas was heartbreaking and left a void that’s hard to describe. I’m comforted knowing that I had told him in the past how much he meant to me and how thankful I was for our friendship.
Randy was more than a friend, he was a mentor, a role model, and one of the very few constants in my life. His kindness and belief in me helped shape who I am today. While Spinnaker Records will never be the same without him, I’ll continue to support Cameron and the rest of the crew in his honor.
Rest easy Randy. You meant the world to me and your memory will live on in my heart and my work from this day forward.
Thank you for everything. You’ll never be forgotten.
