Richard Lee Cordier

Richard Lee Cordier, 75, of East Hartford, left the stage on Thursday, August 1, 2019. He was the son of Marion A. (Cavagnaro) Cordier and the late Lieutenant Colonel Leo J. Cordier, USAF, of East Hartford.

Richard was a 1961 graduate of East Hartford High School, where he excelled at track and cross country. He attended Pensacola State College and Kent State University on athletic scholarships. He distinguished himself as one of the most formidable long-distance runners in the country, and trained for the Olympics under the Boston Athletic Association.

Richard worked for Eastern Airlines as a fleet service crewman and retired after 20 years of faithful service. He also served his country as a Sergeant in the USAF Reserve.

For many years in his later life, Richard was the owner of Rockin’ Richard Productions through which he entertained thousands of people as a popular disc jockey in many venues throughout the greater Hartford area. Richard had a passion for music of all kinds, and he particularly enjoyed sharing it with others.

Richard was an avid boater and salt water fisherman. He often plied the offshore waters of eastern Connecticut and Rhode Island in pursuit of striped bass, bluefish, and outdoor adventure.

In addition to his loving mother, he is survived by his beloved brothers, Robert and his wife Joan of Willington, Ronald and his wife Katherine of Westerly, RI, James and his wife Joan of Hebron, and Thomas and his wife Jennifer of Tolland. Richard also leaves behind many adoring nieces and nephews.

“Rockin’ Richard’s” attributes ran contrary to his 50’s stage persona. Richard Cordier was a truly good, gentle, free-spirited, inquisitive and highly intellectual person who mastered living in the moment. He was enthusiastic about everyone and everything around him and he possessed endearing qualities of innocence and awe. His love was unconditional and he was unpretentious, unassuming, accepting, happy-go-lucky, funny and above all else – kind. Rich rocked our lives and frequently left us rolling with laughter. The world was blessed by his presence and he will be dearly missed.

Calling hours are at Newkirk and Whitney Funeral Home, 318 Burnside Ave., East Hartford on Tuesday, August 6 from 4 to 7 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, August 7 to the funeral home for the procession to the Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10 a.m. in St. Rose Church, 33 Church St., East Hartford. Committal will follow at Silver Lane Cemetery, 1312 Silver Lane, East Hartford. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. For more information, to view Rich’s Everlasting Memorial Video Tribute, or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.newkirkandwhitney.com.