Richard Patrick "Rich" Lena Jr.

1/26/1961 - 12/10/2025

Madison - Richard Patrick "Rich" Lena Jr. passed away unexpectedly Dec. 10, 2025 at Yale New Haven Hospital. He is survived by his beloved wife, Christine DeLise Lena; and two daughters, Jaclyn and Kendra Lena; and his future son-in-law Paul V. Costa Jr. He is also survived by his siblings, Michael (Vicky), Karen (Ed), Christopher (Glory) and Daniel (Gretchen); his in-laws, Pasquale and Maria DeLise; his brothers-in-law, Marc S. DeLise and Dr. Stephen Huot; nieces and nephews: Jessica, Chris, Colter, Avery, Peter, Sydney, Camila, Miles and Valentina; and numerous family members and lifelong friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Richard P. and Jean Lena.

Rich was a devoted and extraordinary husband, father, son, uncle, cousin and friend, who spent most of his free time with his wife, children and family. He was also quick with a smile and a cutting friendly barb. Outside of spending time with his wife, if you asked him what were some of the best moments in his nearly 37-year marriage, he would likely respond coaching his kids during youth soccer and watching them mature into strong, caring respectful adults and accomplished professionals, as well as being with family and friends at their family beach house in Niantic or in New Hampshire around the Dartmouth College area.

Rich was born Jan. 26, 1961, in New Haven, at then Grace New Haven Hospital and their family resided in West Haven. As the family quickly expanded, the family moved to Orange, for a brief time and finally to Woodbridge. In the early years, the family spent the school year in Woodbridge and escaped to their Niantic Beach home for the summer where he spent his youth enjoying life at the beach.

Richard was a natural athlete and loved tennis, fishing and waterskiing, as well as participating on the Woodbridge Swim team and in baseball Little League. After joining the Amity football team, he achieved great success, as captain, leading the team to the 1978 State Championship in their triumph over Ansonia High school. In that game, Rich scored 4 touchdowns in the 35-20 win. That year, he was named Connecticut's All State Running back. He continued his football success at Dartmouth College as fullback winning a share of the 1981 and 1982 Co-Ivy League Championships. He was also inducted into the New Haven Gridiron's Club Football Hall of Fame in 2004, as well as Amity Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005.

Rich graduated from Amity Regional High School in 1979, and Dartmouth College/Thayer School of Engineering in 1983/84. After graduation, He began his 18-year career at IBM as a system engineer. In 2003, he took an executive position with Tangoe, Inc. managing operations in India and Asia and immensely enjoyed both careers including his teams and travels both domestically and abroad. He later assumed remote full-time work as an IT Independent Consultant the past 4 to 5 years for Stanley Black & Decker until his death.

Rich was a St. Margaret Church parishioner in Madison, with his faith running deep back to his Aquinas House days at Dartmouth College. He was an enthusiastic supporter of Dartmouth College and their football program as well as serving on the Amity Athletics Hall of Fame selection committee. As past president, Rich was deeply committed to his college fraternity, Beta Theta Pi. Almost the last week of his life, Rich and his family spent post-Thanksgiving at their New Hampshire house. As a last-minute decision, he decided to stay on and work remotely as the Dartmouth Hockey Team was undefeated. He was excited to watch them defeat primarily Brown and Yale back-to-back . . . and they did. Mostly, he was in his happy place back at Dartmouth for one last week, then he came home.

"RIP Rich Lena. We will love you and carry you with us forever!"

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Margaret Church, located at 24 Academy Street, Madison. The service is scheduled from 11 am to noon, Jan. 3, 2026. A Celebration of Life will follow back at the family home in Madison.