Westbrook native Richard Hustus, widely known as Hawkins along the city’s Main Street he labeled the grapevine, died at age 56 on Oct. 26 at the Gosnell House in Scarborough after an illness. He was born July 5, 1969.

In recent years, Hawkins was widely recognizable in Westbrook wearing his long, black coat that nearly reached his ankles. He frequently could be seen hanging out at the front steps of Walker Memorial Library or on the boardwalk along the Presumpscot River. Often, he played music from a digital device and danced for passersby.

Hawkins was among the city’s homeless population, and described his lifestyle as that of an “adventurer” in a 2023 interview with the American Journal.

He had permission to sleep in an unheated garage, which had no electricity or water, he said. At the time, he had been shoveling snow to earn money for food. “I don’t do the 9-5,” he said.

Life expectancy is shorter for homeless people. According to research by the University of Pennsylvania’s Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, the average for homeless people is between 42 and 52 years old.

Hawkins was widely traveled and several years ago had been on the West Coast. He had danced in street shows up and down Interstate 95 on the East Coast.

“Making people laugh makes me feel good,” he said.

He was a native of the Duck Pond and Prides Corner area. According to the American Journal, “he was a member of the Westbrook High School class of 1988 until he dropped out. He earned his diploma in 2003.”

Hawkins said he learned from the world around him.

“Out there, it is its own university,” he said.

In Westbrook, he said he had friends on the street, “Eli, Sunshine, Big Dave, Chill Bill and Steve.”

According to his obituary, Hawkins was buried Oct. 29 in Limington and a celebration of his life at the Highland Lake Grange will be held at a date to be announced.