Our deepest condolences He will be missed

albert & joanne Latour (prov. r.i.)

Richard was of great help to our parish in adopting Stewardship. He was a valauble resource, and was always willing to help.

May he rest in peace.

Ed Sampson (Lawrence, Massachusetts)

I will miss Rich every day here at the Pastoral Center. You and your family are in my prayers.

Maureen Heil (Braintree, MA)

Rich,

I'll always miss our fun conversations at lunch and your constant wisdom. I pray you find peace.

Rick (Braintree)

I am proud to have called you my friend. You will be greatly missed.

Patrick Sier (Barrington RI)

My family grew up with Richard and Yvonne in Sumter, SC. The Ely & Kalish family members were great friends! Our mothers continued to be best friends until the very end! I know there is a just and loving God in Heaven, and that Richard will be welcomed with open arms! My condolences go out to all the extended family members at this time. You will continue in my thoughts and prayers -- especially as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, and ponder His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. He is the Savior of all people, the divine Son of God. He is the same Jesus Christ of the New Testament, who taught about faith and about love for God and mankind.

Throughout the year we serve the poor and needy and give of our time and money to numerous humanitarian aid efforts in order to follow Christ's teachings. Especially as we ponder Richard's death, throughout the coming year, let's commit to being a better disciple of Jesus Christ and to love and worship Him above all.

My love and the love of the whole Kalish family go out to all the Ely family members.

Sincerely,

Betsy (Kalish) Zuro

Betsy (Kalish) Zuro (Ohio)

Richard and I were fellow board members on the AFPRI boarda nd grew to be good friends. His passing is very sad to me, because I knew how much the non profit world meant to him. We shared many stories and experiences over the brief 5 years I knew him and his passion for what he did was equal to none. I could not make the service this morning due to another service I had to attend, but I will always remember the conversations and times we shared. Rest in Peace my friend and know that you are very sorely missed by many.

Mike Gianfrancesco (Cranston, RI)

I had the opportunity to work with Richard when I was on the Board of Directors at Steere House. He was always a pleasure to work with, and I know that I learned much from him. Please accept my deepest sympathies.

Kathryn L. Gann, PhD (North Providence, RI)

I grew up with Richard and have been blessed with great memories of a warm, generous, thoughtful, insightful and intelligent man. I will miss him.

Jill Alexandria (Beirut, Lebanon)

Dear Donna,
I am so terribly sorry for your loss. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Love to you and your children.

Pamela Rakowski (Providence)

Richard left an indelible impression on me in yoga class at the YMCA he renewed my passion and devotion for the art, always covered us with a blanket at the end of our practice during savasana.I know he is very much so missed

maryanne nolin (e. providence, rhode island)

Richard was a thoughtful man with a special soul. He had enthusiasm for any endeavor he undertook and a very particular outlook on life. I will always remember him with great fondness and the world has a little less light because he chose to leave. Peace and love Rich..........

Betty Harrington (Warren, RI)

Rich and I became acquainted with each other several years ago when I was getting my feet wet in non-profit fundraising, especially planned giving. I would touch base with Rich every now and then. I spoke with him just a couple of months ago. He always had time for me. He will be sadly missed. What a gentleman!

Carl Sivo (Narragansett, RI)

We will miss you.Thank you for being a cut above the rest of us.

Rick Brice (Atlanta, GA)

I am shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Rich. Our mothers were close friends, and he was a great comfort to me when my mother passed away in 2010. Rich was a fine man with a genuine compassion for others. My heart goes out to his family.

Bob Butler (Sumter South Carolina)

RICH AND I WERE CLASSMATES AT MCLAURIN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL AND EDMUNDS HIGH SCHOOL IN SUMTER. WE SOMETIMES PLAYED GOLF TOGETHER WITH SOME OF OUR MUTUAL FRIENDS.
HE WAS A GENUINELY FRIENDLY AND ENCOURAGING MAN AND I AM SADDENED BY HIS PASSING.

ROBERT SKINNER (SUMTER, SC)

My deepest sympathies to Yvonne and to the Ely Family. He was an intellectual and fine human being.
Harold Brody

Harold Brody (Atlanta,Georgia)

Like Robert Skinner, I was a classmate of Rich's at McLaurin Junior High and Edmunds High School. Rich was a gentle soul and with a great sense of humor. I remember that one of his best friends throughout our school days was John Kuhlman. From the few years I had the privilege of knowing Rich, I know he will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Prayerfully,
Phyllis McElveen Patrick

Phyllis McElveen Patrick (Wilmington Island, GA)

In 1985, I met Richard at the old Rhode Island Hospital Trust where he worked, and then, in 1986 I was glad to help guide him to a new career in charitable gift planning. His love of humankind was unbounded and his enthusiasm for his work with donors and mentoring of others was exemplary. He will live in the hearts of all who knew him. Keep the music playing, Richard!

Garry & Barbara Malone (East Greenbush, New York)

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