Richard endured a month’s long battle with cancer that showed his unbelievable strength and courage in facing life’s challenges with a smile. Despite his suffering, he never allowed the disease to dim his brilliant spirit, which continued to shine bright until the very end, always full of light and gratitude for a life well-lived for the love of his family and friends.
Richard was born in the quiet mining town of Franklin, NJ on January 11, 1951 to the late Richard and Rose (Scovern) Fletcher. As a child, Richard was smart and a little shy, but his big heart and caring for others was present from an early age. Richard met his wife, Judy, in high school and it was love at first sight. They married in 1974 and so began a loving partnership that would last almost 50 years. After settling together in Montague, NJ, Richard and Judy started a family and eventually had two children who Richard always considered his “greatest accomplishments.” Drew Fletcher was born in 1978, and Erin Fletcher was born in 1983. Richard is also survived by four beautiful grandchildren, Liam Fletcher (11), Noah Fletcher (7), Rhys Fletcher (2), and Valentina Pezzolla (1).
Richard attended Pope John High School, and graduated with a B.A. in History from Niagara University in 1972. Prior to his retirement, Richard worked at Crum & Forster Insurance as a Director of Systems for nearly 40 years, and also co-owned and operated The Wedding Store at Liz Clinton’s in Andover, NJ with his beloved wife, Judy.
Outside of his career, Richard was an active member of the Franklin Historical Society for several decades, and was passionate about genealogy. As the unofficial record-keeper of the Fletcher Family Tree, Richard compiled an impressive archive of the family documents and photographs tracing the family ancestry back over six generations. In his spare time, Richard enjoyed collecting antique train memorabilia, was an avid baseball fan, and could often be seen cruising the backroads of Sussex County in one of his vintage Porsches, rocking to the bluesy vocals of Janis Joplin or the upbeat harmonies of the Beach Boys. He also loved all things Irish and enjoyed nothing more than sitting on the porch enjoying a cold Guinness on a Sunday afternoon. At the time of his death, he was also in the process of restoring his beloved 1974 fiat X-19 convertible (8-track player and all!) and having it repainted in the original factory bright Giallo yellow.
A visitation for Richard will be held Tuesday, April 18, 2023 from 3 pm to 6 pm with Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 6 pm at Our Lady Queen of Peace R.C. Church, 209 US-206, Branchville, NJ 07826. A committal service will take place on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 11 am at Good Shepherd RC Cemetery, Airport Rd, Green Township, NJ 07821.
Memorial donations may be made to Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Ave, Newton, NJ 07860, as well as Our Lady Queen of Peace R.C. Church, 209 US-206, Branchville, NJ 07826.
Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.smithmccrackenfuneralhome.com
