Richard Patrick Lena M.D.

3/17/1932 - 2/15/2022

Niantic - Richard Patrick Lena, M.D. was born in New London, March 17, 1932, to Helen and Hugh F. Lena, M.D. He was the youngest of four siblings. He is predeceased by his parents; and siblings, Hugh F. Lena Jr., M.D., Virginia M. Calanquin and Paul J. Lena, M.D.

He was a 1945 graduate of Saint Mary's School, a 1949 graduate of Bulkeley High School and a 1953 graduate of Dartmouth College. He continued his education at Tufts University School of Medicine, graduating in 1957, after which time he started an internship and residency in surgery and urology at Yale New Haven Hospital.

In 1964, he entered private practice of urology in New Haven, where he also taught medical students and residents at Yale. He had an active practice and was a clinical associate professor of urology at Yale. He also was the chairman of urology at the Yale New Haven Hospital of Saint Raphael Campus for 15 years.

He was a board-certified member of the American Urological Association and a member of the New England Section of the same, serving as president in 1987. He retired from practice in 1998. He and his wife Jean moved to their Niantic shoreline home in 2011.

He leaves his beloved wife Jean M. Lena of 66 years; and five children in all: Richard (Christine) of Madison, Michael (Vicky) of Tampa, Fla., Karen Hanson (Edward) of North Haven, Christopher (Glory) of Niantic, and Daniel (Gretchen) of Slingerlands, N.Y.; as well as his grandchildren: Jessica McDonald (Christopher Vest), Jaclyn, Colter, Kendra, Avery, Peter, Sydney, Camila (Lena); and one great-grandchild, Miles (Vest).

He was an avid fisherman, sports fan, tennis player, and proud Dartmouth alum who enjoyed interacting with many. He and Jean enjoyed gathering with family and friends at their home telling many stories and sharing many laughs. He was a devoted physician, husband and family man. He especially loved watching his grandchildren grow and was delighted with the birth of his first great-grandchild this past year. He will be dearly missed by all.

A Catholic funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. (EST) Saturday, March 5, at St. Agnes Church, 22 Haigh Avenue, Niantic. The Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 48 Grand St., Niantic, is assisting the family with the arrangements. Dr. Lena's family invites you to offer condolences and share memories at www.neilanfuneralhome.com.