Stephen J. Richard

NORTH ANDOVER -- Stephen Joseph Richard, a resident of North Andover who was a national wakeboard champion and Motocross competitor, died Sunday, April 22, from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident while returning home from college. He was 19.

He was born in Winchester, son of Lori Richard and her longtime companion, Robert DePiano of North Andover, and Robert Richard Jr. and his fiancée, Kimberly Henderson of Wilmington. He grew up in Billerica, Wilmington and North Andover. He graduated from Greater Lawrence Vocational School in Andover in 2006. He was currently attending Central Maine College in Auburn, Maine.

Stephen loved to compete and he always wanted to be the best. He had a passion for water-skiing and wakeboarding and at the age of 13, he was the national champion for his age bracket in wakeboarding, family members said.

He loved Motocross and won numerous events. He competed in skimobile racing as well. He worked as a mechanic and was always improving and polishing his cars and motorcycle. He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his many friends and family. He was the type of person who extended himself to others and he will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.

Besides his mother, her companion, his father and his father's fiancée, he is survived by his brothers, Anthony and Jonathan Richard of North Andover; his longtime girlfriend, Maritza Teurell; his grandparents, Catherine and Richard Romano of Tewksbury, and Robert and Janice Richard of Burlington; and his aunts and uncles, Clorinda Romano of Wakefield, Dr. Annette McDonough of Burlington, James Richard of Dracut, Brenda Anderson of Burlington, Cheryl and Dave Green of Reading, and John Richard of Billerica.

He also leaves many cousins and friends.