Richard W. English of Provincetown died at home Dec. 23, 2014. He was 72.
Born and educated in Lansing Michigan, he was a US Army veteran, stationed in Germany in the early 1960’s. After discharge, he returned to Michigan and served in the US Merchant Marine on the Great Lakes.
In the early seventies several of his friends migrated to Provincetown. Richard, hopped onto a Greyhound bus in 1968 heading for Provincetown. He aim was to become "a simple fisherman" as John Lennon had said in a Rolling Stone interview, as well as wanting to be a painter. But he didn't think his imagination could be confined within the boundaries of frames.
In Provincetown, Richard achieved his dream of being a painter. He also was a commercial fisherman and did a stint as Harbormaster at Cabral’s Wharf. He was an excellent cook and became a fine finish carpenter. Perhaps the only "regular" job he ever held was as Facility Manager at the Provincetown Monument and Museum where his skills at everything from constructing a vitrine to repairing a broken lock were appreciated.
He had a deep love of animals and was Carrie Seaman's helper, and in appreciation she left him money to continue taking care of the cats. The cottage in which he lived was owned by Carrie Seaman. Richard lived on the 2nd floor and 15 to 20 cats lived on the ground floor; it was the forerunner of the Carrie Seaman Animal Shelter.
In October of 2013, Richard, along with Jim Rann, Rodney Reetz, and George Fitzgerald gathered at Fanizzi's Restaurant to celebrate 50 years of friendship, for it had been in October 1963 that the four had met in Lansing, Michigan. In addition to Jim, Rodney and George, Richard is survived by many wonderful friends in Provincetown. He also leaves his dog Pi, which is being cared for by his good friend Tom.
A Memorial Service will be held at Beech Forest in the spring, at a time and date to be determined.