Richard Henry Tarantino

Richard Henry Tarantino, veteran of the U.S. Navy, passed away at the age of 76 on May 24, 2022. He was born on May 11, 1946 in New Orleans and attended St. Paul’s High School. While he served in the Navy, he attained the rank of the Commander of Carrier Division 7 from 1968-1972 and received many accolades. He was distinguished with the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, and the Navy Unit Commendation with one bronze star.

Richard was someone who never met a stranger, who engaged on a personal and community level. He served as a salesman for various companies during his career and made friends wherever he went. He served as the President of the Montgomery, Alabama Jaycees and was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Montgomery. He was a lifelong sports fan who never missed a game that his son and daughter played in and even served as an assistant coach for his son’s baseball teams for a number of years. He was able to turn his wife, Eileen, into a diehard LSU Football fan, holding season tickets for a number of years and tailgating with the Krewe of Ragoo. Following the passing of his wife to Lewy Body Dementia, he felt called to volunteer at the Respite Ministry of First United Methodist Church.

He is preceded in death by: his wife of 53 years, Eileen Ruth Lovan Tarantino; his parents, Francis J. Tarantino and Melia Maestri Tarantino; his sister, Josephine Ann Tarantino Langenstein; and his brothers, Francis J. Tarantino, Jr., Gerard C. Tarantino, and John Benedict Tarantino, Sr.

He is survived by: his daughter, Christie Ann Tarantino-Dean (Douglas Dean); his son, David Edmund Tarantino (Maureen Mullaney Tarantino); his sister, LaVerne Tarantino Broussard; his grandchildren, David Tarantino, Jr., Maureen Mullaney “Laney” Tarantino, Timothy Ryan Tarantino, and Kelly Elizabeth Tarantino; and his numerous nieces and nephews. Additionally, he was very proud to have two bonus grandchildren in Andrew Dean, his wife Colleen and their daughter, Annie, as well as Ryan Dean and his wife Allie.

The family would like to give special thanks to the caring staffs of both Hospice Specialists of Louisiana and The Peristyle at Beau West, as well as all the family and friends who offered their unwavering support and prayers in the final weeks of Richard’s life.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2022 from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home at 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. New Orleans, LA 70124. A 1:00 p.m. service will immediately follow visitation in the Chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions made in Richard’s honor to the Respite Ministry of the First United Church at 2416 W. Cloverdale Park, Montgomery, AL 3616 or fumcmontgomery/org/respite-ministry/.

To view and sign the guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.