Richard Duncan

DUNCAN, RICHARD, of East Greenwich, Rhode Island died August 4, 2008.

He is survived by his wife Bonnie Lee (Burgess) of East Greenwich and his children, Richard S. and his wife Donna Duncan of Cumberland, RI; Denise and her husband Jeff Lemieux of Southborough, MA; and Mark and his wife Debby Duncan of Stamford, CT. Additionally he is survived by grandchildren Steven, Ryan, Ashley, Davis, Alex and Tyler; his mother, Margaret; and his brother, John Duncan, of Coral Gables, Florida.

Richard was born March 11, 1941 in Detroit, Michigan to Margaret Gottmans Duncan and Clarence Oliver Duncan. He grew up in the suburbs of Detroit, graduating from Walled Lake High School and the University of Michigan. While working full time to support his burgeoning family and pay for his education, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and MBA in Accounting and Finance. He received the University of Michigan's Annual Payton Award for Scholastic Achievement in Accounting. Richard passed the CPA examination in Michigan and completed a two year internship with Price Waterhouse, in Grand Rapids, Michigan and became a CPA and Public auditor in 1966.

Richard worked for two years at Double A Products in Ann Arbor, Michigan as CFO where he designed and managed the installation for their first major computing system. In 1971, he moved to East Greenwich, RI and joined Brown and Sharpe, where he happily worked for 20 years in positions including SVP & CFO. As CFO he managed and took direct responsibility for Financial Affairs including Mergers and Acquisitions, Accounting, Public Reporting, Computer Systems, Taxes, Purchasing and Legal Affairs. He handled many M&A transactions of European companies that helped maintain Brown & Sharpes bottom line during the 1980s-90s. After retirement, he successfully traded stocks for over ten years and acted as guardian for his 90+ year old mother.

Richard enjoyed sailing and racing BagPiper, his 34' O'Day sailing yacht and his J-24 out of the East Greenwich Yacht Club, where he was a member for 30+ years. He served as club treasurer and made many great boating friends. He raced his J-24 in the J-24 Worlds against 100+ of the best sailors across the globe with his family as crew, finishing in the top 1/3 overall against mostly professional, male crews.

He liked to play golf, billiards and poker and especially enjoyed his weekly rambunctious bridge games with a closely knit group of neighbors. He enjoyed his family and home life, including swimming and playing tennis. As a consummate 'do it yourselfer' he was always puttering and fixing something on his boat or at home.

Richard and Bonnie, enjoying their fiftieth year of marriage, lovingly raised three children and watched with pride as each developed productive careers, married and started their own families. He adored holidays and family gatherings with his children and six grandchildren.

Richard was a good man, who loved to tell stories and was quick with a hearty laugh and a helping hand. He enjoyed watching movies and reading with wife, Bonnie. His favorite foods were all desserts - pie, chocolate cake from Gregg's and chocolate chip ice cream.

MEMORIAL SERVICE: 2:00 pm August 24, 2008 at Saint Ann's Church by-the-Sea, 25 Spring Street, Block Island, Rhode Island. A private burial at sea will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Cure Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Foundation, Executive Plaza III, Suite 906, 11350 McCormick Rd., Hunt Valley, MD 21031. Information and condolences at www.carpenterjenks.com.