Richard Joseph Stride

Richard Joseph Stride, 81 NAPLES, Fla. -- Richard Joseph Stride, 81, of Naples, Fla., formerly of Kennebunkport, passed away on May 9, 2009. He was born in 1927 in Biddeford, to J. Burton Stride and Irene Haley Stride. He graduated from Phillips Andover Academy in 1945 then served in the U.S. Army as a cryptanalyst until 1947. He went on to complete his undergraduate degree in 1951 at Duke University and his Juris Doctor at Duke University Law School in 1954. He later attained a B.A. in psychology from the University of Maine at Portland, where he graduated summa cum laude. Early in his career, Richard was a producer at the Kennebunkport Summer Playhouse. His career included auditor at Price-Waterhouse & Co. in Boston, president and director of Biddeford & Saco Bus Lines, Inc., owner of Burgess Fobes Paint Company, director of Casco Bank & Trust Company, director of Casco Northern Corporation, chairman of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine, director of Blue Alliance Mutual Insurance Company, developer for Thomas Block in Portland. Richard was also a professional entertainer as a magician and mentalist since boyhood. He was an officer and director or trustee of the Greater Portland Chamber of Commerce, The New England Council, The Kennebunkport Dump Association, Nasson College, the New England Economic Research Foundation, the Associated Industries of Maine and the Portland Symphony Orchestra. He was on the board of the Maine Medical Center and was a member of the Portland Country Club, the Society of American Magicians, the Massachusetts Bar Association, and the Sons of the American Revolution. He is survived by his wife Johanne B. Stride of Naples, Fla.; four children, Tad Stride of Bowdoinham, Joff Stride of Winter Park, Fla., Jennifer Stride of Warren, and Jessica Curran of Cape Elizabeth; four step-children, Kathleen Denniston of Fairfield, Conn., Johanna Rogowski of Casco, Martha Webster of New York City, N.Y., and Frederica Hennessy of Parkland, Fla.; as well as seven grandchildren and 10 step-grandchildren. A memorial service and celebration of his life will be held in Kennebunkport at a later date. Arrangements by Fuller Funeral Home, Naples, Fla. 239-592-1611. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to a charitable organization of your choice. Richard Joseph Stride