Richard Charles LaVecchia

LaVecchia, Richard Charles died Saturday, August 12, 2017 of brain cancer at the Connecticut Hospice in Branford. He was a resident of Killingworth and enjoyed summers at his lake house in Eastford. He leaves his wife of 43 years and high school sweetheart, Jean Mayshar LaVecchia; daughters, Lauren LaVecchia-Wik and Lynn LaVecchia; son-in-law Paul Wik, grandchildren, Madeleine Wik and Miles Wik. He also leaves his sister Joanne LaVecchia Kuhns, brother Louis LaVecchia, his brothers-in-law David Kuhns, Steven Kilberg and Andrew Mayshar, and his sisters-in-law Ellen Mayshar Kilberg and Nikki Labata Mayshar, along with his many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Louis LaVecchia and Jennie Parla LaVecchia.

Rich was born in Willimantic on April 1, 1951. Rich was a star athlete at Windham High and at Eastern Connecticut State University. He received his Master's Degree from Southern Connecticut State University. Rich, known lovingly to his students as "Mr. L," taught 6th grade science at Lyme Old Lyme Middle School for 40 years. He engaged his students with hands-on experiments and interactive lessons that inspired many to go on in the field or, at least, return to say "hi" and share a desk-drawer snack. Rich also coached Lyme Old Lyme High School Basketball for many years and was named Coach of the Year for the Shoreline Conference. He advanced in his coaching by taking on both his daughters Park & Rec teams. For him, his family always came first.

Rich retired in 2013 and enjoyed traveling with his family and friends. Anyone who knew Rich knew he was always up to something, whether that was playing a silly prank, building a dollhouse for his granddaughter, golfing with his friends or working in the yard. Everyone was impressed when Rich picked up a new hobby six years ago when he learned to play the guitar. It was something he had wanted to do since he was a child. Music is a big part of our family and we all loved singing along. We will miss his smile, kindness, patience and generosity. And we will never forget his love of chocolate, gummy bears and whipped cream.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Vincent's Foundation/SWIM Across the Sound Center that provided wonderful services to Rich over the past year. 2800 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT, 06606, (203) 576-5451, https://give.stvincents.org/DonateNow.