Richard E. “Dick” DeConto, 93, a longtime resident of Winchester for 64 years, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Aug. 12, 2016. He was the son of Ralph A. DeConto, born in Viggiano, Italy and Catherine (Vericella) DeConto of Haverhill, MA. Richard grew up and attended school in Medford. His father owned land in northern Massachusetts where they would go hunting together and a farm operated by caretakers where Richard would work in the summertime while in his teens. He also taught riding lessons. One of his favorite stories was the time his father’s high spirited horse “Texas” took him on a wild ride! As a result of his childhood experience on the farm he developed a lifelong interest in gardening as a hobby, even up to recent years. Even though he had an exemption from military service, his sense of patriotism caused Richard to enlist in the Navy. He served on two US Navy destroyers, the Duncan and Sperry in the Pacific during WWII. At the conclusion of the war Richard became involved in his father’s clothing business which his father started in 1920. He became an accomplished custom clothing designer and over the years expanded the business under the Ralph A. DeConto label to include many stores within the Northeast crafting custom, hand-made men’s suits. His clientele included many many distinguished clients, including local politicians, entertainers and athletes. He was most proud of having made the umpire uniforms for the American and National Baseball league for a number of years. Among some of his clients were local area doctors and lawyers who always said to him how others would compliment them on how well their suits looked. One doctor in particular commented to him after trying on his suits for the first time, after many years of study “Now I feel like a doctor!” Richard was also a proud past member of the Ancients and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts. His company made the uniforms for this historic organization.
He met and married his wife Virginia after short courtship on February 19, 1949. He was a most loving and devoted husband for 68 years. Through all of his life Richard was most proud of his family. His devotion to his family was unparalleled. Along with his wife Virginia, they raised 11 children. Most noteworthy was that he and his wife Virginia, had 2 sets of twins within 2 years. A baby born either side of the twins made for 5 babies under the age of 3 in a household of nine children. This made for a lot babies, bottles and a lot of excitement at feeding and bedtime. In the early years, raising 11 children with his wife and the time he dedicated to his business, it did not allow him much time for hobbies. However, he delighted in spending time with his family during the summers at the family cottage in North Eastham, and loved boating on the Cape Cod bay. His earlier farming interests sparked a passion for now farming the sea, as he loved to go clamming with his children. Richard looked forward to his long summer weekends on the Cape after working in Boston. He would arrive late every Friday with a station wagon full of fresh vegetables and groceries for his family. It was always quite an adventure when he would pack 13 people into a station wagon to go to a beach or out for ice cream. However, his wife would draw the line when it came to putting 13 people in his boat. He and his wife enjoyed many years of travel together, visiting their grown children, other family members and friends in various states and travel overseas. Never one to fully sit back, even after his retirement from his Boston company, Richard also enjoyed success in real estate in the local area for a number of years. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Holy Name Society and served as an usher for St Mary’s Catholic Church at the 8:45 Mass for many years. In addition to his wife Virginia, he was the loving father of Ralph DeConto and his wife Brenda of FL, Stephen DeConto and his wife Donna of Winchester, Joseph DeConto of MO, Mary Cowan and her husband Craig of Reading, Ann DeConto of Winchester, Richard DeConto, Jr. and his wife Lidia of FL, Rita Smith and her husband Steven of Littleton, Virginia “Gigi” Barnabei of Winchester, Theresa Goodwin and her husband Michael of NH, Elizabeth “Betty” Waaler and her husband Christopher of ME and the late Jeanne DeConto. Dear brother of the late Joseph DeConto. He was the devoted grandfather of 21 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren and is also survived by many nieces and nephews and cousins. He lived the last years and days of his life happily at home in Winchester, still totally devoted to his wife, children and grandchildren. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to gather at the Costello Funeral Home 177 Washington St., Winchester, on Monday, Aug. 15 from 6-8PM and again on Tues. at 10AM followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Mary’s Church, 155 Washington St., Winchester, at 11AM. Interment is private.