Richard P. Rita

Richard “Dick” P. Rita of East Orleans, MA passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 18, 2014. The son of Michael A. (a former Connecticut State Senator) and Kathleen Mahoney Rita. Born in Hartford, CT on July 8, 1926. He was educated in West Hartford schools. He was a corporal in the Army Air Corps and was assigned to the occupied forces in Japan where he played for the 5th Air Force Baseball Team headquartered in Tokyo. After the war, he attended the University of Miami where he pitched for two years before transferring to the University of Missouri at Columbia where he received his Bachelor’s degree. In 1977, he received his Master’s in Education from the University of Hartford.

Professionally, he worked as personnel manager for the MH Rhodes Company until he started his own executive recruiting\staffing business in 1955 which he maintained and grew in the next 26 years expanding throughout the US and Australia. He was past president of the Connecticut Chapter and First Vice President of the Greater Hartford Jaycees, the 8th chairman of the Greater Hartford Open Golf Tournament, and he was honored by being named a Senator.

In 1981 he moved to Orleans, MA and founded Business Locators in Cape Cod, which he sold in 1990, He then joined with his wife and for 20 years, ran a successful antique business and traveled extensively throughout Europe.

An avid Red Sox fan and Patriots fan, he also loved landscape design, Nauset Beach, his many pets and the companionship of his close friends. He will be remembered for his charisma, sharp wit and his laughter. Richard is survived by his beloved wife and best friend Deborah, his son Kevin and his wife Julie, his daughter Kathleen and his daughter-in-law Kelley. He held his grandchildren Jarrod, Nicolas, and Phoebe close to his heart. He was predeceased by his son Greg, sister Patricia, and brother “Bud”. Funeral Services will be private. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to a charity of one’s choice. For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com