Richard A. Paparella

Richard Alan Paparella, 69, of Wethersfield, passed away peacefully at home with family on July 26, 2024. Rick was born in Hartford on May 24, 1955 and was a lifelong resident of Wethersfield. Rick graduated from Wethersfield High School, class of 1973, and began a longstanding career in the automotive industry. He started working in repair shops as a teenager, eventually owning his own Mobil Station and then dedicated the remainder of his career to automotive service and repair.

Beyond his professional life, Rick was an avid golfer and deeply enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren Connor and Avery. Rick always enjoyed a game of pinochle with his buddies on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Rick is survived by his daughter, Cara Henderson of Old Saybrook and her children, Connor and Avery; his siblings Alison Francis and her husband Martin of East Granby; Jeanne Dubin of New Haven and Michael Paparella and his wife Nancy of Windsor; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Benedict and Louise Paparella of Wethersfield. Rick was also recently predeceased by his son and best friend, Steven, of Manchester. Rick will be reunited with his beloved son to cheer on the NY Giants and Yankees once again.

A service to celebrate Rick's life will be held Thursday, August 1, at 11 a.m. at Christ the King Parish (Corpus Christi Church), 601 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield, CT 06109. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Rick's memory may be made to the Children's Tumor Foundation, Ending Neurofibromatosis, Mail Code 6895, P. O. Box 7247, Philadelphia, PA 19170-0001. The D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, Wethersfield was entrusted with arrangements. To share a memory or tribute, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com