Richard F. Prior

PRIOR, Richard F. Richard F. Prior, of Old Saybrook, formerly of Collimore Road, East Hartford, beloved husband of Maureen Dillon Prior, died on Wednesday, (June 2, 2004) at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford. Richard was raised in Hartford, moved to East Hartford when he and Maureen married in 1955 where they lived until last year when they relocated to their summer home in Old Saybrook. Before his retirement in 1998 Richard was a Property Manager at Konover Property Management in Farmington. In addition to his wife, Richard leaves a son, Richard of New York City, NY, and four daughters and their spouses, Sheila and Michael Bergey of Washington Crossing, PA, Karen and David Topalis of Simsbury, Margaret and Richard Quirk of Wakefield, MA, and Elizabeth and Timothy Hartsoe of Greenville, SC. and his 11 grandchildren, Andrea, born on his 55th birthday, Michael, and Kathryn Topalis; Maureen, Rebecca, and Shannon Quirk, Kaitlin and Nicholas Hartsoe; and three step-grandchildren, Michael, Steven and Kevin Bergey. Richard also leaves a sister and her husband, Eileen and Edward Welles of Lake City, FL.; a sister-in-law and her husband, Peggy and Jack Tine of Westbrook and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Patricia Middleton and a brother, Francis Prior. A man of many talents and gifts, Richard will be remembered most by his family and friends for his devotion to family, his quick wit and his beautiful blue eyes. Calling hours will be held on Monday, June 7, from 9-10:30 a.m. at the Callahan Funeral Home, 1602 Main Street, East Hartford, followed by a procession to our Lady of Peace Church, May Road, East Hartford, for a Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in Mount St. Benedict Cemetery in Bloomfield. The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to Dr. Jonathan Sporn, Natalie Garces and Alison Laudati of the St. Francis Cancer Center for the exceptional care and compassion they extended to Richard throughout his illness. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Francis Cancer Center, 114 Woodland St., Hartford, CT 06105.