Richard A. Lapenta Sr.

1944 - 2016

Richard A. "Dick" Lapenta, Sr., 71, of Ellington, beloved husband of Sarah Jane (Quinn) Lapenta entered into eternal life on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at home surrounded by his family. Dick Lapenta was born on July 13, 1944 in Hartford, Connecticut. He was the son of Joseph and Catherine Lapenta. Growing up in that city, he graduated from Hartford Public High School in 1962. Dick worked for the Hartford Metropolitan Water District until his retirement in 1997. He was a communicant at St. Bernard Roman Catholic Church in Enfield, Connecticut. Dick was an avid fan of the University of Notre Dame team. He and his wife Janie made many fall pilgrimages to South Bend to see the team play in its home stadium. Over the years, Dick's and Janie's acts of kindness to and caring for elderly and ailing family members and friends were constant and selfless. Visiting, shopping for and transporting those in need took up a large portion of Dick's retirement years. Most of all, Dick always reveled in the company of his grandchildren and a loyal and loving group of family and friends who steadfastly supported him and his wife throughout his illness. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jane Lapenta, with whom he shared a life of mutual devotion, fidelity and the deepest love; a son Richard A. Lapenta, Jr. of South Windsor and a daughter Jill Herold and her husband Robert of Ellington; his grandson Kyle Harold and Christina who are expecting Dick's great granddaughter Audrey Joy in August and his grandson Robert Harold and his girlfriend Kelsey. Additionally, he has enjoyed a close relationship with his in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and his longtime priest Father Jerry Knapp. He was predeceased by his brothers Joseph and Donald Lapenta. Relatives and friends may join the family for calling hours on Monday, July 18, 2016 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Somers Funeral Home, 354 Main Street, Somers, CT. A funeral procession will gather on Tuesday, July 19, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. at St. Bernard Church, Hazard Ave, Enfield, CT. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family. Memorial donations in Dick's memory may be made to VNA Services, 8 Keynote Drive, Vernon, CT 06029 or Manchester Radiology. For information or to leave online expressions of sympathy please visit, www.somersfuneralhome.com.