Richard Anthony Ferace

7/29/1948 - 11/20/2025

Sarasota, Fla. - Richard Anthony Ferace, 77, of Sarasota, Fla., passed away peacefully and unexpectedly in his home the morning of Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025. He was born July 29, 1948, in New London to the late Angelo F. Ferace and Mildred C. (Donovan) Ferace. He was a resident of Sarasota for the past 14 years. Richard grew up in New London, attended St. Joseph School and graduated from Saint Bernard High School where he met the love of his life Joyce.

He attended Providence College and received an associate's degree from Mitchell College. He married Joyce A. Ganey in 1967, and was blessed with a wonderful marriage to her. They lived in and loved New London, and he grew up in the family business of the Lincoln Oil Company where he became president and later managed the City Coal Company.

In 1997, Richard and Joyce relocated to Charlotte, N.C., and he went to work as a project manager with Duke Energy. Richard and Joyce retired to Sarasota in 2011, to be closer to family. At the time of his death, he was still actively working and employed part-time at The Savoy on Palm.

Richard loved spending time with family, his sons, and their families, especially his grandchildren. In his younger years, he was a car enthusiast, and he loved off-road motorcycling with his sons and close friends. He and Joyce truly enjoyed the water, entertaining at their beachfront home on Pequot Avenue in New London and sailing and boating with friends. He was a loving father and was the biggest fan of his sons as he watched them compete on sports teams growing up.

Richard is survived by his son Christopher (Nancy) of Norwich; and his brother David of New London. He was predeceased by his wife Joyce in 2020 after 53 years of loving marriage; their son Kenneth in 2017; his brothers, Frederick J. Ferace in 2021, and J. Peter Ferace in 2017. He is survived by four grandchildren: Ryan, Kasey, Joshua and Jennifer; and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two very special sisters-in-law, Joann Ganey and Marie Diffley (Kevin) of Sarasota, Fla.; along many cousins, nieces and nephews around the country.

Richard was a long-time member of the St. Joseph Church in New London and later in life a member of the Incarnation Church in Sarasota.

There will be no local calling hours. The family will host a Memorial Service Mass at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 9, at St. Joseph Church, 149 Montauk Avenue, New London. A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, Jan. 16, in Sarasota, Fla.

In lieu of flowers, local donations may be made in Richard's name to St. Joseph School, 25 Squire Street, New London, Ct.