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Richard RISLEY Obituary
RISLEY, Richard J.
Richard J. Risley, 74, of Coventry, CT passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 29, 2013. Richard was the beloved son of the late Milton (Mitt) and Helen (Edwards) Risley. He was born on January 23, 1939 in Hartford and raised in Coventry before joining the U.S. Army. He was proud to have established the Richard Risley Dance Studio for 50 years before his retirement in 2008. Richard served on the Board of Directors for the Dance Masters of America and was a past president of the Dance Teachers Club of CT. He was the originator of the Mr. Dance of America scholarship competition founded in 1979. In retirement, Richard enjoyed teaching tap dancing at the Mansfield Senior Center, in researching the Risley family genealogy with his late uncle, Norman Whitaker, puttering around the house and yard, and traveling to see friends and former students all over the country. He was predeceased by his younger brother, Milton L. Risley. In addition to a family friend, Robert Richard, he leaves a half uncle, Edgar Edwards and his wife, Elaine, of Warwick, R.I. He also leaves many cousins--Judy Eshman, Paulette Hilding, Cheryl Edwards, Suzanne Plagge, Dorothy Reid, Sharon Lewis, and Valerie Pavano, all of Manchester, CT and Dianne Eib of Truro, MA and Nancy Weston of Southwick, MA. Richard was loved by his many friends and family and will be greatly missed. He had a spirit that was larger than life and was cherished by all who were lucky enough to meet him. Even in his final days, he was visited by good friends and family who continued to bring his love of dance to him. Richard may have left this earth, but his star will continue to shine for all who loved him.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 5, 2013 at the First Congregational Church of Coventry. Following the service there will be fellowship and visitation at the church. Burial will be held privately at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mansfield Christian Fellowship church, 105 Depot Road, Mansfield, CT 06250. For online condolences please visit www.pietrasfuneralhome.com.
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Memories and Condolences
for Richard RISLEY
October 22, 2013
Thank you so much, Richard, for restoring my interest in tap dancing in my 60's. I so appreciated your gentle manner and, of course, your exceptional dancing ability........so seemingly effortless. You'll be remembered with great fondness!
Beve Wilkey
Brian Duhaime
September 23, 2013
As one of your first male gymnasts, I thank you for the joy of dance. You are a special person and your joyous spirit will surely be missed.
nancy and ward weston
September 17, 2013
rest in peace cousin we will miss you
Priscilla Charlier
September 9, 2013
I am sorry to hear of our loss of Richard. I worked with Richard for over 20 years to help design and advertise his dance studio in the local newspapers. He always had great dance stories to tell about his students and his enthusiasm showed how much he loved to teach dance. Through the years we became friends and talked about our families and travels. My condolences to his family and friends. Keep dancing Richard.
tasha goulet
September 9, 2013
Mr Risley May you Rest In Paradise He was A very Great Wise Man One to Remember . This man thought me everything in dance sense the age of Two. You will be for ever in my heart and in my memory. I can never forget this man one of the greatest mami I met on earth me we meet again" see you later kid ;)
Kathy Bach
September 7, 2013
Heaven is celebrating its newest angel. My condolences to the Risley family as we say farewell to our friend and dance teacher. Richard shared his love of dance and life with our children but somehow the entire family was always the better for it. And while Katie was his student for over 15 years the rest of us all found ourselves in a dance class (or more) during that time! Richard was bigger than this life, so we will take his lessons with us now until we meet again in the next.
LEE GARRARD
September 5, 2013
I HOPE YOUR MEMORIAL WAS SPECIAL!
Darby (Barnes)Pollansky
September 5, 2013
"Mr. Risley", as we still called him, will never be forgotten. Spending breakfast with him at Meet Me On Main was like sharing our dance lessons back in that studio on Main Street..... My heart goes out to all friends and family who had the honor of knowing him! Memories are what we can hang onto now and someday may we see him again to give him that respect once more! May God Bless!
September 4, 2013
THE DANCE MASTERS OF AMERICA HAS LOST A VERY GOOD MEMBER AND THE FOUNDER OF MR DANCE OF AMERICA. WE ARE SO THANKFUL FOR ALL YOU DID FOR DMA. YOU WILL BE MISSED!
Tammie Meyers
September 4, 2013
Thank you for teaching my children to dance! God bless you !
Kandie Melendez
September 3, 2013
Richard, you were and are loved and admired by so many. You touched so many with your teaching and so many more with your genuinely friendly caring personality. You will be missed and remembered by everyone who knew you.
September 3, 2013
Thank you Mr. Risley for helping in building my confidence.Everytime I dance I will think of you.
Kelly Hand, Rachel Hence, Richard, & Gayla (Oat) Simmons; Jazz Hands!
Jonathan "Kelly" Hand
September 3, 2013
Jonathan "Kelly" Hand
September 3, 2013
I can't thank you enough for all you did for me. You continue to be a BIG positive influence on my life, and so many others, through your generosity and life lessons. You are missed, Mr. Tap!
Jonathan "Kelly" Hand and Richard, 1988
Jonathan "Kelly" Hand
September 3, 2013
Tricia Proctor
September 3, 2013
My girls were students of Richard. LeeAnna is still a dancer thanks to him. We were in Coventry at studio 2 to 3 times per week for 15 years. Richard, you were mightily loved and will be missed. Heaven's got a brand new angel who can dance.
Tricia Proctor (Villa Rica, GA)
Colette Dufour
September 2, 2013
I wish Richard's family Peace in his passing. He was a Coventry icon!!! He taught my daughter and we had so much fun!! You did more for Coventry children than most did, thank you for caring for our children.....
Shawn Haberern
September 2, 2013
So many happy memories of dancing at the
Studio,in the early seventies. Richard was a part of why I am who I am today.
Thank you, and rest in Peace.
Sallie Miller
September 2, 2013
My family and I were very saddened by the passing of Richard. I have so many fond memories of you and all my dance classes at your studio in Coventry. I have all my dance recital pictures and will always cherish all the beautiful memories. It was my honor to have known you through the years. I always looked up to you as my mentor. My thoughts and Prayers are with Richard's family and friends.
Paula Boudreau
September 2, 2013
So many memories of dance classes, recitals and the fun we had back stage while waiting to go on,have come up since hearing about your passing. Those were some great years, and I am very grateful that I was able to be a part of The Richard Risley Dancer's. RIP Mr. Risley, and 5,6,7,8...
Sandi Bonneau
September 2, 2013
I am saddened to here of Mr Risley passing.... he will always be remembered by the Bonneau's as not only our dance teacher but our friend..... Mr Risley taught all my daughter's the actual love of dance not just steps... Richard was also the biggest fighter for his kids he would go up against any parent that came between a child and their love of dance....I saw this first hand..... you knew Richard was hard on you because he saw greatness he was preparing you for bigger and better things.... my fondest memory of Richard wass when my aunt who was a dance teacher back in the 40' s was invited to sit in on a class because she couldn't make the recital due to her age....87... they sat and compared stories and Richard saw pictures of her vaudeville days... Richard thanked me for bringing her and said anytime to bring her again.....I want to take this time to thank Richard again as I did then for making my aunt so happy and while your dancing with the angels grab my aunt and get a Risley line started..... love the Bonneau's
Ethel Green
September 2, 2013
I think that everyone who ever lived in Coventry knew of Mr Risley. I remember all the dance recitals up at UConn. He was an iconic figure and he will always be remembered.
Janice Litwinas
September 2, 2013
May you rest in peace Richard. God bless. My mother Jean danced at your studio for years and we still look at the pictures from the recital. We will miss you. Now you will be in heaven with Ralph Gaston my grandfather that you know very well.
September 1, 2013
A very sad day for Dance Masters of America! A gifted and talented man that served our organization with love, dedication and honor.
Phyllis R. Guy, DMA Immediate National Past President
Mia Pomerenke
September 1, 2013
Mia Pomerenke
September 1, 2013
September 1, 2013
My family and I were very saddened by Richard's death. He was indeed a gifted and talented man. He never forgot a face and was always smiling whenever I chanced to meet him about town. He had a wonderful and sometimes mischievious sense of humor. Peace to all who loved him.
The Garay Family
Brenda Campbell
September 1, 2013
Richard, I so enjoyed your company and time in Florida. You will be missed by so many. It was my honor to have known you.
Kelly Szelka-Sullivan
September 1, 2013
I am very saddened to hear about Richard's passing. Although I only danced at his studio for a short time, I enjoyed my time at the studio. Richard made me feel very welcome, after having danced in RI for most of my life. My thoughts and prayers are with Richard's friends and family.
Glenda Moss
September 1, 2013
My prayers are with Richard's family. Worked with Richard at Dance Masters of America when I was National President.
Michael Powers
September 1, 2013
Richard was a gifted and dedicated teacher of dance, but more than that he cared deeply about his students - celebrating their successes and comforting them when things didn't work out. He was an important part of the lives of so many kids in Coventry and the surrounding area. He made us all a bit better by his example of caring and commitment.
LEE GARRARD
September 1, 2013
OUR ENTIRE FAMILY WILL MISS YOU RICHARD--WE ALWAYS HAD A GOOD TIME WHEN YOU CAME TO VISIT US IN PA AND TEACH SUMMER DANCE WORKSHOP. THE GARRARDS, BOB, LEE, MICHAEL, SHELLY, ERIC.UNCLE DICK, AUNT NANCY, CAPPY, AMY,
Showing 1 - 32 of 32 results
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