Richard A. Prior Sr.

Richard A. Prior Sr., 86, of Enfield, beloved husband of 53 years to Marie (Lauzon) Prior, entered eternal rest on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022, at St. Francis Hospital.

Son of the late Allyn and Marion (Spear) Prior, he was born in Springfield on July 11, 1936. Richard was a veteran instrumental music educator at the elementary, secondary, and college levels. He especially loved his time as the East Hartford High School band director, where he taught generations of young musicians instrumental music and music theory, while leading and conducting concert, jazz, theatre, and marching bands. He will be remembered for his love of Big Band and Dixieland jazz, his annual band trips to Florida, football halftime performances and leading the Pit Band for the East Hartford Summer Youth Festival. His enthusiasm and joy inspired countless youth to enter the music and teaching professions. As a woodwind performer in the popular, jazz, concert band, symphony, and theater genres, he holds both an undergraduate and graduate degree from the University of Connecticut, as well as a Professional Educator Certificate from Central Connecticut State University. While working in New York City in the early days of his career, he attended graduate studies at the Juilliard School of Music, where he studied clarinet and saxophone with the legendary Joe Allard. Performing in clubs, theatres, and resorts, he provided instrumentals for some of the great performers of his day. His love of performance continued throughout his life playing with local musicians with the Springfield Symphony, dinner theatre at the former Coachlight, Storrowton Tavern & Carriage House, the Ice Capades, and hundreds of weddings across the region. Richard loved music, but more importantly, he loved the people and comradery from all those he performed with over his lifetime. Outside of work, he had many interests. He had an intense desire to learn and read, he enjoyed collecting and tinkering with electric trains, learning how to use all the latest technology and most recently, he mastered a new Kenwood radio and spoke to persons all over the world throughout the pandemic. He was a skilled woodworker, building many pieces of furniture for his wife and children. And most of all, he loved to travel and explore new places with his family.

In addition to his beloved wife Marie, Richard is survived by his children, Dr. Roberta Louise Prior of Meriden, Laurie P. Ely and her husband, Christopher J. Ely of West Hartford, and Richard A. Prior Jr. and his wife, Melissa Lane Prior of Syracuse, New York. Richard also had the joy of grand-fatherhood and left behind one granddaughter, Brianna Faith Ely, of West Hartford. Brianna and Richard had a special connection and shared a love of music, fireworks, the beach, and electronic toys. In addition, Richard is survived by his friend and brother, Bruce Prior, of Rochester, New Hampshire, and his wife, Susan; his brother-in law Brian Lauzon Jr. and his wife, Paula, of Las Vegas, Nevada; his sister-in-law, Roberta Deragon of West Springfield; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother Marion Spear Prior, who passed in 1997, and his father Allyn Leslie Prior, who passed in 1982. Richard adored his parents and was deeply thankful for the wonderful upbringing he had and their continued encouragement. He is also predeceased by his father-in-law, Brian Lauzon Sr.; father-in-law, Thomas Hennessey, and their wife; and Richard's mother-in-law, Yvette Lauzon Hennessey. In addition to his family, Richard had many lifetime friends and neighbors that he enjoyed spending time with greatly.

Richard's family will receive relatives and friends from 5 to 7 p.m., on Wednesday, Aug. 17, at Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, 61 South Rd., Enfield. A funeral service will be celebrated for Richard at 10 a.m., on Thursday, Aug. 18, at Vernon United Methodist Church, 401 Hartford Tpke., Vernon. Burial will be private.

Donations in Richard's memory may be made to Autism Speaks, Inc.

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