Richard H. Charland Sr., age 81, of Deans Mill Road, Stonington, passed away Wednesday at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital.
Richard was born in 1927 the son of Horace and Anna Charland. He served in the US Navy aboard the US Wasp Aircraft carrier after graduating from the Navy School of Music in Washington DC during World War II.
He was recalled from the Navy Reserves during the Korean Conflict and served as a musician in the Mediterranian Fleet.
In 1955, he graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Hartt College of Music in Hartford. It was at Hartt that he met his wife, Sally Ellingwood and they were married for 53 years.
After moving to Stonington in 1964, he became Band Director for Stonington High School and Pawcatuck Middle School until retiring in 1987.
He is survived by three children, Richard Charland Jr., Danielle Charland, and Gene Paul Charland; 2 grandsons, Josiah Zagorac and Jacob Harris.
His family will greet relatives and friends at The Dinoto Funeral home, 17 Pearl Street, Hisotic downtown Mystic on Monday from 11am until 12:45pm, immediately followed by a service at 1pm. Burial with military honors will follow.
To share a message of remembrance or condoelnce with his family, please click the link below.