Richard Lupino

Richard “Dick” Lupino, Sr., 79, of Portsmouth passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 19, 2026. He was the beloved husband of Sherrill (Thacker) Tooley and the late Brenda (Mayes) Lupino. He was preceded in death by his cousin Robert (Bob) Hefferly of Wichita, KS on March 13, 2026.

He was the father of Richard Lupino, Jr., his wife Cara. Gina Lupino and her partner Toriana Gurley and Michael Lupino and grandchildren, Nicholas and Siena Lupino all residing in Rhode Island. He was the stepfather to Sharyn Taylor and her Partner Scott Stewad of AZ, Robert Taylor, Jr. of TX and Todd Taylor of WA and Step Grand dad to Destin Steward, Hailey Loucks and her husband Josh, Hayden and Bradey Taylor.

Dick’s music was his life. He started playing guitar when he was eight years old however when he went to High school the band instructor needed a bass player, so Dick accepted the challenge and easily moved from guitar to bass. Upon graduation he attended New England Conservatory of Music in Boston MA where he received a diploma in double bass and a Bachelor of Music. After returning from the military where he played the tuba in marching band and the double bass in jazz and string ensembles. Upon discharge he went on to receive his Master’s degree.

He has lived and worked as a musician and singer in Boston, New York, Las Vegas, California, Washington State, and several European countries, performing with many renowned artists including Issac Stern, Chuck Berry, The Fifth Dimension, The Shirelles, Mobius, Steve Lawrence, Carol King and Mickey Rooney, to name just a few. When he reconnected with and married Sherrill (Thacker-Tooley) Lupino they began traveling to her home on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic (DR) where he formed The Island Breeze Band, a three-piece rock and roll band that played at numerous locations for the past 10 years. For the past 20+ years you could find Dick at Sardella’s Restaurant in Newport and Greenvale Vineyards in Portsmouth, and many other venues over the years.

Dick was a music teacher for several schools throughout Rhode Island and owner of Dick Lupino Music. He was a US Army Veteran of the Vietnam War.

He was member of the Elks Lodge #2359 and a member of the Providence Federation of Musicians. #198-457

Visitation will be Monday, March 30, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the PONTARELLI-MARINO FUNERAL HOME, 971 Branch Avenue, Providence.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 11:00 AM in St. Anthony Church, 1413 Mineral Spring Avenue, North Providence.

Burial will be private and by invitation.

For online tributes and condolences, visit www.pontarellimarinofunerals.com.