Shrewsbury – On Monday, May 13, 2013, Richard Quitadamo, 55, of Shrewsbury, died surrounded by loved ones.
On May 27, 1957, Richard was born to Virginia (Bassett) Quitadamo and the late Ralph Quitadamo. He was the fourth of six children raised in a home where love of family, God, friends, and, yes, food, was clearly evident. He graduated from South High School in Worcester and earned his Bachelor's degree from University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He married Julie Wood on May 18, 1991 beginning a wonderful new chapter in his life.
Rich accomplished a great many things in his professional life, but his colleagues would likely suggest that his success would best be measured by the relationships he fostered throughout his career in the wholesale lumber business. Most recently, he was a trader for Eastern Forest Products in Lyndeborough, New Hampshire.
Rich's organizational abilities were near legendary, as was his devotion to his family. Nothing was more important to him than his family, especially his wife Julie and their boys, Cole and Bradley. As a father, he stood apart. His love of the ocean, sailing, and snow skiing can be witnessed in his sons as well.
Family and friends are comforted and grateful to Richard for the many beautiful memories he created over the years. He was clever, witty, and welcoming. He was a Boy Scout leader, lacrosse coach, ski enthusiast, sailor, and cyclist who completed the Pan Mass Challenge 17 times. Rich and Julie provided many wonderful summers for their boys both on land and sea in Westport, MA with family and friends.
In the last year, Rich exemplified that he was a man of remarkable strength and resolve as he faced the biggest adversity in his life. He did so with unparalleled grace, dignity, and bravery.
Rich is preceded in death by his father, Ralph, and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Michael and Emily Wood.
In addition to his wife, Julie, he leaves his boys, Nicholas W. (Cole) and Bradley W. Quitadamo; his mother, Virginia, of Worcester; his siblings, Ralph (Paul) Quitadamo of Worcester, MA, Anthony Quitadamo and his wife, Kim, of Holden, MA, Marcia E. Quitadamo of Worcester, MA, Dianne Lowe and her husband, Kenneth, of Oak Bluffs, MA, and Susan Hunt and her husband, Kevin, of Charlton, MA; his in-laws, Henry and Corinne Wood of Shrewsbury, MA, Lisa and Dennis Gregoire of Charlotte, North Carolina, David and Theresa Wood of Doylestown, Pennsylvania; and many nieces and nephews.
Family and friends will honor and remember Richard's life by gathering for calling hours Thursday, May 16, from 4 to 8 p.m., at Heald & Chiampa Funeral Directors ~ The Sumner House, 5 Church Road, On the Common, Shrewsbury Center, and again Friday, May 17, in Saint Mary's Church, 640 Main St., where his funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will be private.
In Rich's memory contributions can be made to the Quitadamo Children's Educational Trust, c/o Shrewsbury Credit Union, P.O. Box 227, Shrewsbury, MA 01545.
