Ric deMeulles was raised in Timmins but left in 1969 to attend the University of Windsor. He holds a diploma in occupational health and safety, undergraduate degrees in history and social work, and a masters degree in interdisciplinary studies. For over  thirty years he worked  across northern Ontario in health and safety, in both forestry and mining. In 1997 he founded the Mines and Aggregates Safety and Health Association.  

deMeulles' first story was published in 1980, and  since then his work has appeared in a number of Canadian literary magazines and anthologies. His first novel, Ramasseur, came out in 2008 and was shortlisted for the Northern Lit Award. Hickey's Dead appeared in 2013, followed by Quinn in 2018, Pity the Minotaur in 2023 and The October man in 2025 .

Ric has always been active in his community. He has served on the board of directors for the Sudbury YMCA, the board of Laurentian University's Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health, the WSIB's Research Advisory Council  and on the Board of Governors for Thorneloe University. He has also helped develop small community-based organizations whose aim is to provide service to the marginalized. 

He lives in Sudbury with his wife Bonnie.