Richard Parri Obituary

Parri , Richard
Richard Charles Parri passed away peacefully at his home on January 5th, 2020 surrounded by his family. Richard loved his family and he extended that love to their friends, always lending his hand or 'good' ear to listen to what was going on in their lives. He followed people's loves and was genuinely interested in their paths. He facilitated relationships and helped build bridges, always with a twinkle in his eye. He loved his days at "Summer Here, Summer Not" at the beach with his seven granddaughters. His days were filled with laughter and joy.
Richard was born to the late Almorico aka Morico Parri and Esther Louise Platino on August 11th, 1944 in Hamden, CT. Losing his father early in life helped shape his career path. He survived several 'Tom Foolery' expulsions to graduate from Villanova University with a finance degree in 1966. He loved a good joke for sure, but he loved the world of finance and doggedly pursued a career with Mass Mutual in New York City. He later moved to Connecticut and became the youngest Guardian Life general agent in the country at the age of 28. He loved integrating his Financial Planning & Insurance business with technology and ultimately chased his interest in technology into a second career in his early 50's. He launched several software and application companies and could often be found talking shop, code, and programs with other 'sharpies' around town.
Richard leaves his loving wife, Ingrid, of 25 years, his five children Brian (Kerrie Clifford), Stephen, Rachel, stepdaughters Leah Palmer (Ken Richardson) and Christa Palmer (Dominic Bigue) and his seven true treasures who knew him as Papa Rich. His seven granddaughters Kaitlyn "Puttanesca" Parri, Rory "Cacciatore" Parri, Keely "Scungille" Parri, Finnley "Fettuccini" Parri, Delia "Ditalini" Richardson, Genevieve "Ravioli" Bigue and Marguerite "Mostaccioli" Bigue will miss his pirate adventures, scavenger hunts, beach fires, the 4th of July and his rogue alligator hunts on his 'gator'. We will miss his genuine interest in the careers and hobbies of his children and friends and the spirited conversation surrounding their pursuits. He showed us the art of taking an interest and gave us the gentle push when we needed it.
In lieu of flowers, and in the spirit of his unending generosity, please perform a random act of kindness or pay it forward in his memory.
Please also feel free to have a spirited conversation in his honor or extend a hand to someone you feel might need it and by all means, tell a great Papa Rich story to someone who might not have known him the way we all did. Rest in Peace Papa Rich
Honoring his wishes, there will be a private family memorial.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt "thank-you" to all of the wonderful staff at Yale-New Haven/Smilow Cancer Hospital and the VNA at Guilford Hospice. The attention and professionalism extended to our family during this difficult time will always be remembered

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The New Haven Register on Jan. 8, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Parri

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8 Entries

Larry Proczko

April 5, 2020

I roomed with Rich at Villanova our Junior &senior years. John Morrison, Henry Schulties, myself, and Rich at the Devon ---Strafford apts. Our Senior year we rented a house,which we almost burnt down. He was a wild man and did most of the cooking and crazy things. I graduated ,got married went to Viet Nam and started my family life. He called me once the day the Eagles played in the super bowl against the Patriots-- XXXIX I think.Never spoke to him or any of my roommates-which I truly regret.If you have any questions call me at 717-569-8882. I thought of him many,many times over the years.

January 19, 2020

Richard's passing is such a great loss because he was such a significant positive influence in our lives. His outsized and inimitable personality and unique approach to life's challenges and pleasures touched each of us who knew him. His accomplishments were many...and were significant...both in his professional and personal life. The legacy he leaves his family and friends is the example he set by the way he lived his life, attributes too numerous to list but known well to those close to him. What he said, what he did, how he did it, mattered. Most memorable, in my view, was his kindness and generosity, especially to those who needed a helping hand or who lacked the privileges he and his family had.

I can think of no greater tribute to honor his memory than by each of us attempting to emulate those values he held dear. That would make him smile.

I was privileged to know him.

Rest in peace, my friend.

Tom Bertuccini

January 13, 2020

We have just heard of Rich's passing. I cannot begin to express the impact he has had on our lives. Rich embodies generosity and kindness.
His face while telling a joke, the twinkle in his eye, and his gift for story telling will never be matched.
Never have I met someone so intent upon listening, not just hearing, but listening to friends and strangers alike.
Rob and I love him and will do all we can to carry on in his memory by extending the kindness to others that he has extended to our family.

Love to Ingrid and all the family.
Laura and Robert Bates.

dlc

January 9, 2020

Fond memories from our years at ND.
A good guy.
Sincere condolences to the entire family.
❤

January 9, 2020

Ingrid ,and family. Spent many years working with Richard. A genuine person who truly cared about people.
So sorry to hear the news
Tony Piccolo

January 9, 2020

Ingrid & All:

Today is a sad day for those of us who knew Rich. He was one of my two best friends at ND. But also today, he is at peace somewhere, entertaining others with his storytelling.

Rich could remember details- names, places, dates- like no other. He would color the story, then give you the punch line. You knew it would be good, 'cause Rich could deliver it like a master.

After college and the Army when i lived in Boston, i'd see him back in NH in the 1970's on my visits and hear more bigger-than-life stories.

Maybe I'd heard the tale or anecdote before, but it would be even better and funnier this time. And he was always adding new and exciting editions to his repertoire. I would shake my head in amazement.

Where does he get these stories? They can't all be true, can they? But they were.

He was always meeting new people, having new experiences. Living every day to the fullest. That was Rich. In the words of our other buddy, Ned Freed, he was "upbeat, funny, a little crazy."

I've been out in CA. now for 40 years. I've often told friends that of all the people i've ever known, no one could tell a story like Rich Parri. He truly was "Mr. Personality."

Rest in Peace Rich. You were a treasure and will be missed by everyone who knew you. God Bless.

"PARTY AT PARRI'S !"

Bob Bowen/ Mill Valley

Donald Akowitz

January 8, 2020

Dear Ingrid and family,
So very sorry for you loss. Richie was truly a committed husband, father and family man. We go back a long way; he lived around the corner from me in Centerville. Our neighborhood was dominated by sports all year round. We attended grammar school and NDHS. He was one of the most focused and genuinely caring person I knew.
He will be truly missed.
Don and Jane Akowitz

January 8, 2020

Ingrid and family We are so sorry to hear of Rich's passing. He will forever remain close to my heart. I will always remember his kindness and spirit. His eyes will forever twinkle. Rest in Peace my friend. God Bless the entire Parri family.

Julie and Vinne Amodio

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