Richard Victor Contini

Richard Victor Contini of Salt Point, NY passed away on December 18, 2025 after a brief illness. He was born in Greenwich Village in Manhattan on March 12, 1954. The son of Victor Michael Contini and Josefine Wilhelmina (nee Landers) Contini, Richard grew up in Esopus, N.Y.

Richard was graduated from Saint Peters School and John A. Coleman Catholic High School in Kingston, NY. He was a graduate of Dutchess Community College. Richard was a parishioner of St. Stanislaus Koska Catholic Church in Pleasant Valley, NY.

Richard worked in the construction industry in his youth. Together with his uncle Orazio Contini they installed the flagstone and brick sidewalk around the Old Dutch Church and Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, NY. He helped in the restoration of stone buildings and older homes throughout Ulster County. Richard built his home in Salt Point, NY in 1984. His ability to visualize and estimate projects made him a popular consultant in building materials sales.

A partner with his brother in BROCON Communications, Richard produced programs for the Archdiocese of New York's presence on a local television station in the early 1980s. Among their independent projects were The Wearing of the Gray, a history of New York City's famed 7th Regiment. He produced a history of the Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement at Graymoor, Garrison, NY. Richard helped produce A Storied River, a promotional program for the Hudson River Maritime Museum written by Howard Koch of Casablanca fame.

An avid equestrian, Richard enjoyed riding his horse Sherman and later Goldie early in the morning. He was a life member and served as president of the Landsman Kill Trail Association. He enjoyed clearing riding trails for the club in northern Dutchess County.

Richard recently traveled to the Village of Mouacourt, France with his family to dedicate a monument to his father's WWII unit, the 121st Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron. The Contini family commissioned the monument in cooperation with the village and the French Army. The dedication took place in October and included a French Army honor guard and an honor guard composed of 75 French reenactors of American WWII units. Richard rode in a WWII ambulance along the route his father, a senior medic, followed after the liberation of the Foret de Parroy.

As part of this last of many trips to visit family in Europe Richard joined his son Daniel, daughter Katie and grandson Donovan for a visit to Normandy where his father, Staff Sergeant Victor M. Contini, came ashore in the Summer of 1944. The trip ended with a visit to Paris and Notre Dame Cathedral, a favorite destination for Richard.

Richard was predeceased by his parents Victor and Josefine. He is survived by his children Richard F. Contini and partner Sarah at home, First Sergeant Daniel Contini, his wife Megan (Tanzillo) and daughter Autumn of Clinton Corners and daughter Kathryn and son Donovan of Maine; siblings Michael J. Contini and wife Vicki (Manuel) of Pasco, WA, Alexander F. Contini and wife Deborah (Morishita) Contini of Beekman, NY, and Katherina M. Contini of Esopus, NY; nieces Regina (Contini) and Neal Powers of Richland, WA, Christina (Contini) and Ben Heater of Ritzville, WA; and nephew Robert J Contini and Adrienne (Kutil) of Glenville, NY. He also leaves behind his good friend William Kahrs of Poughkeepsie.

Richard found comfort in his Catholic faith in the rough years following the departure of his wife.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, December 26 from 5-8pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on December 27th at 10 AM in Saint Denis Catholic Church in Hopewell Junction followed by a graveside service at St. Denis Cemetery in Hopewell Junction.