Richard G. Gonci

1950 - 2020

On February 11, 2020, the life force known as Richard Gonci went off to his next adventure. Born on February 22, 1950, and raised in Marlborough, he was the son of the late George and Elinor (West) Gonci and a 1968 graduate of RHAM. Richard was the beloved husband of Joanna Fink, and father of Noah Gonci. He was the loving brother of David Gonci (Noreen Cullen), brother-in-law of Aaron Fink & Anne Mastrangelo; proud uncle of Paul Petro, Nathaniel Fink (Dave Bermingham) and Abigail Fink. Richard began his career in theatre, was a founding member of the Portland Stage Company (Maine) and later a lighting designer at Boston's Charles Street Playhouse. He produced corporate shows for leading tech firms, while also designing discotheques internationally, as well as entertainment venues for the 1980 Winter Olympics. In 1994, Richard co-created and produced America's first national TV series on landscape architecture for HG/TV, "Breaking Ground." He was creative director for several communications groups and film/animation studios in the Boston area, producing virtual animations of major new commercial and residential buildings, schools, hospitals, museums, and other public places in the U.S. and abroad. Richard's creative work was recognized with national and international awards. Richard served on the boards of several non-profit organizations and produced broadcast documentaries as well as public service messages for the state. Richard managed Boston's Harbor Rowing Club, and later he and his wife founded the Cygnet Rowing Club in Newton. He competed regionally and internationally, and coached from novice to Olympic levels. Richard was most happy skippering a boat, enjoying time at the family vacation home in Rockport, MA, or helping someone in need. Richard was a prolific writer, with commentaries published in major national media, as well as stories and articles in various periodicals. He brought clarity and elegance to worthy causes. He was often called on to produce and speak at special events. Words were Richard's lifeblood and now the silence is unimaginable. A celebration of Richard's life will be scheduled for the spring. Remembrances may be posted to richardgonci.life.