Richard Nelson Purington

Richard Nelson Purington died peacefully at his home in Ridgewood, N.J. on October 7, 2025 after a long, courageous battle against non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

He was born in Washington, D.C. on July 24, 1945 to Winafred (Snoddy) and Paul Purington and grew up in Ridgewood. An Eagle Scout, Richard was a 1963 graduate of Ridgewood high school and completed his Bachelor's degree at Harvard University in 1967.

Richard is survived by Ann Dickinson, his wife of 37 years, and by a twin sister, Marcia Mumm of Boca Raton, Fl., with whom he celebrated an 80th birthday this past July. He is also survived by his daughter from a previous marriage, Cirene Revan, his grandson Çemil Revan, his devoted stepchildren Amanda Phillips (Briggs) and David Turner (Aaron Hill) as well as his beloved step-grandson Crawford Phillips. Numerous beloved nieces and nephews also survive him. He was preceded in death by his parents and his younger brother Dow.

During his college years Richard worked as a print and runway model. Upon graduating from college, he embarked on an adventurous life of creative, entrepreneurial and athletic endeavors. He moved to Puerto Rico where he co founded The Butterfly People, a renowned gallery and cafe in the Old City of San Juan. He adopted the name Drakir, by which he was known for many years. During these years Richard traveled the world surfing and playing chess and backgammon competitively. Later, he played duplicate bridge, attaining the rank of Bronze Life Master. His wife Ann introduced Richard to golf, a passion he pursued avidly at Ridgewood Country Club, where he became known as "Cowboy."

Richard was an executive producer (PGA) of the following films: "Every Three Seconds" (2014), "Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey" (2015) and "For They Know Not What They Do" (2019) and served on the boards of St. Philip's Academy in Newark, N.J. and at the time of his passing he was a member of the board of the Vineyard Preservation Trust (Martha's Vineyard).

No funeral service is planned; Richard's ashes will be interred at Tower Hill Cemetery in Edgartown, Mass. A celebration of life will be held at a future date. (Arrangements by C.C. Van Emburgh)

If friends should care to make a donation in Richard's memory, the family gratefully suggests doing so to the charity of the donor's choosing, to the Vineyard Preservation Trust or to the John Theurer Cancer Center or by check (kindly indicate "in Memory of Richard Purington") in memo line to: Hackensack University Medical Center Foundation Attn. Nancy Kennedy 343 Thornall Street, 7th floor Edison, NJ 08837