Richard J. Ayr

Richard James "Dick" Ayr passed peacefully, surrounded by loving members of his family, on February 4, 2025, in New Haven, Connecticut. He was 88.
Born on July 20, 1936, in East Haven, Connecticut, Dick was the son of the late Alice Anderson Ayr and Thomas Ayr. He grew up in East Haven, where he was the youngest of eight siblings-Thomas, Arthur, Allenby, William, Robert, Jean (Ayr Patterson) and Alice (Ayr Campane).
Dick graduated from East Haven High School, where he met the love of his life, Joan Backman Ayr. The two were engaged on Valentines Day in 1957 and married a year and a day later. They built a life filled with love, laughter, and devotion, and were about to celebrate their 67th wedding anniversary at the time of his passing.
Together, they raised four daughters who were Dick's greatest joy: Lesley Joan Ayr Panganiban, Laura Jane Ayr (who predeceased him), Linda Jean Ayr de Calvo, and Lisa Jill Ayr. He was also a proud grandfather to Brett Calvo and Evan and Chloe Londoño-Ayr. In addition to his beloved wife, daughters, grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews, Dick leaves behind three sons-in-law: Bob Malatesta (Laura), Alex Calvo (Linda) and Jorge Londoño (Lisa). He was pre-deceased by his son-in-law Edward Panganiban (Lesley).
Dick attended the University of New Haven before embarking on a long and storied career in sales. A long-time resident of North Branford, CT, he spent much of his professional life as a sales representative for Air Products and Chemicals in Morristown, NJ. After taking an early retirement, he remained busy, working at Tilcon in North Branford, closer to home.
An avid hiker (and sometimes sailor), Dick found solace in the mountains and happiness on the ocean. Whether walking a wooded trail or sandy beach, he embraced the outdoors, buoyed by his wife's adventurous spirit. Together they enjoyed traveling and seeing different parts of the world, doing as much of this as they could, for as long as they could.
Dick's legacy lives on through the enduring love he shared with his family and the wanderlust his adventures with Joan instilled in the hearts of his daughters and grandchildren.