Richard Martin Farina died at his Londonderry home on July 20 in the company of family and his dog Jake.
He was born May 7, 1930, to Luigi and Adelinda (Arcieri) Farina in Lynn, Mass. After living in Marblehead, Mass, and Swanzey, NH, the family moved to Keene, NH, which Richard considered his home town.
At Keene High School, where he graduated in 1948, his activities included Band, Orchestra, Chorus, staff of Enterprise and Salamgundi Yearbook, Hi-Y Club, National Honor Society, Drama Club as well as Saint James Episcopal Church activities. He attended the Wharton School where he was a member of the University of Pennsylvania Marching Band.
He was a noted trumpet player from youth to adulthood. In his later years, he honed his piano skills to become a ragtime pianist, a hobby he practiced both at home and at public venues.
He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. Returning to Keene after his discharge, he worked in the family shoe business. Subsequent employment within the shoe business led him to computers and his later working years were spent as a software and systems specialist. He retired from the City of Manchester Information Systems department in 1992.
During his retirement, his interests included his family, piano playing, extensive PC activities, gardening, playing with his dogs and exploring his Italian heritage and family through numerous trips to the Abruzzo region of Italy where his parents were born. In 2004, he organized and hosted a family reunion attended by over 160 people from around the United States and Italy.
Family members include Deborah Belcher, his wife of 32 years; children from his marriage to Joanne L. (Holman) Farina--Alisa L. Farina of Flagstaff, AZ, Paola L. Farina of Auburn, Thomas M. Farina of Kittery Point, ME, Josh M. Farina of Stratham and his wife Tiffany J. (Hanson) Farina, beloved grandsons Drew T. Farina and Gavin R. Farina of Stratham; brother Leonard L. Farina of Harrisville; sister Virgina F. Treat of Hampton; as well as numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.
No services will be held at Richard’s wishes. After cremation, his remains will be taken to Cocullo, Italy, at the convenience of the family.
Memorial donations may be made to the Londonderry Lancers Friends of Music, c/o Londonderry High School, 295 Mammoth Rd., Londonderry, NH 03053.
Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch Street, Derry, NH is in charge of arrangements.