Richard M. Narad

Richard Marian Narad, 84, died peacefully on May 10, 2020 at Evergreen Woods in North Branford, CT. He and his beloved wife of 41 years, Dr. Joan Stern Narad, moved there in December 2019. He was born in Niagara Falls, NY, son of Marian and Mary (Blum) Narad.

Prior to his retirement Richard worked at several companies as a corporate safety engineer (Century Brass, Brinks, Gulf & Western, Wickes). A man of many talents after proudly serving in the United States Air Force 1954-1958 as a crew chief.  He graduated from the University of New Haven while teaching Industrial Safety courses at Mitchell College and volunteering at the CT Cerebral Palsy Association. When not traveling for work while living with his second wife in Westport CT for 20 years, he was a volunteer in the boat building program for children at the Norwalk Maritime Aquarium, loved to sail, worked on all his boats, enjoyed skillful woodworking, and reading. He built a dinghy with his young son Michael that had a maiden launch successfully in their swimming pool. Richard and Joan then lived for 20 years in Old Saybrook where he was member of the North Cove Yacht Club and continued his ardent love of sailing and boating with a succession of different boats. He also raced 914 model sailboats there and in later years built model airplanes, flew them and quads (drones) at an aero club in Salem CT. He was known particularly for the half hull models he built of famous racing sailboats.

Richard was predeceased by his first wife G. Faye (Ehrlich). From this first marriage he is survived by his daughter Christine Mason and her husband Dr. Patrick Mason, Lancaster, VA; and a daughter Laurie Narad of Jefferson, WI.  After marrying again 41 years ago, the family welcomed their son Michael Narad. He is married to Dr. Megan Narad (Waal) and have a 4-year-old granddaughter Avery in Cincinnati, OH. Richard is also survived by his sister, Virginia Parsons of Amherst, NY and her family. A deeply committed family man especially to his loving children, the Narads and the children enjoyed many vacations in Nantucket, visiting and hosting extended family friends, observing Jewish and Catholic celebrations, and, of course, sailing. He was especially proud of being PopPop to Avery.

The family is especially grateful to the Evergreen Woods Health Center for the wonderful care and comfort provided by a dedicated staff and kind geriatric doctors. He spent many hours in the lovely garden and appreciated the individual attention, music, and activities provided over the past 1 ½ years.  A lot of Facetime visits took place under current Covid quarantine precautions were successful there with no Covid there but prevented his wife’s daily visits. During the last week she was fortunately able to be with him and he died peacefully with her at his side. A few days before he passed, a friend Donald Naiman, a chaplain at Danbury Hospital, provided Catholic prayers and blessings by phone for the couple.

The Cremation Society of New England has been entrusted with the arrangements. There are no calling hours. Burial at sea will occur with family. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Evergreen Woods Employee Scholarship Fund, 88 Notch Hill Road, North Branford, CT 06471; St. Coletta of WI, N. 4637 Hwy Y, Jefferson, WI; or to the charity of choice.

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