Dr. James Francis Richard

Local dentist James F. Richard died on Wednesday, August 10th, in Riverhead after a long illness.

Dr. Richard was born at home on Maple Avenue on June 10, 1929, the son of Edwin and Lucy (Magee) Richard. He graduated from Riverhead High School where he was a pitcher on the baseball team and a six-foot three-inch member of the basketball team. He earned degrees from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, and the Georgetown University School of Dentistry. He served as a captain in the Army Dental Corps in Augusta, Georgia, before returning to Riverhead to start his dental practice.

For much of his life, Richard was an avid amateur golfer and enjoyed memberships at the North Fork Country Club and, later, Southampton Golf Club. He had seven holes-in-one. Dr. Richard was descended from German and Irish immigrants, some of whom settled in Aquebogue and were among the founders of St. John’s Roman Catholic Church.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Elizabeth Crabtree Richard, and children Peter (Deidre), of Hampton Bays, Anne (William Davis), of Bethesda, Maryland, Robert (Annemarie Dooley), of Seattle, Washington, and Christine Palmer (Stephen Timothy Palmer), of Jamesport, and seven grandchildren. He was predeceased by his daughter Mary, and his brothers.

A wake will take place Sunday, August 14, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Reginald H. Tuthill Funeral Home, 406 E. Main Street in Riverhead. A funeral will be held Monday, August 15, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church in Riverhead.

Donations may be made to the International Rescue Committee or the National Audubon Society.