Richard A. Grande, age 59, former Mayor of Derby, entered into rest on Saturday, December 12, 2009, at Yale-New Haven Hospital.
He is the beloved husband of Mary Ann (Uhelsky) Grande.
Richard was born in Derby on February 5, 1950, son of the late John D. and Carmella (Langello) Grande, and was a lifelong Derby resident.
He was a graduate of Derby HS Class of ’68 and SCSU Class of ’72, where he received a Bachelors of Science degree in Education. He also studied at Housatonic Community College and the Connecticut School of Electronics. Richard was a respiratory therapist and worked at Griffin Hospital for 32 years. He was a CPR instructor for the American Red Cross, worked for the Catholic Cemetery Association, and was a former manager at Mt. St. Peters Cemetery.
Richard was elected and proudly served as Mayor of Derby for three terms from 1986 – 1991. He spearheaded the building of the new Derby Police Headquarters and was responsible for bringing back Olde Derby Day and construction of the Gazebo on the Derby Green. He also served Derby as a former member of the Tax Board, was a former 3rd Ward Alderman, and a longtime former Democratic Town Committee member.
Richard was a longtime and devoted parishioner of St. Jude’s Church, belonged to the St. Jude’s Mens Club, and served on the church finance council and Bingo committee. He was also a member of St. Mary’s Men’s Club, the Knights of Columbus, the St. Joseph HS Touchdown Club, and was a former corporator of the Griffin Hospital.
Richard was a former coach and Vice President of Derby Pop Warner football. He was also a St. Jude CYO basketball coach. He was a Notary Public, a Justice of the Peace, and a veteran and willing Santa Claus.
Even with all his dedicated service to his community, Richard was loving and devoted husband and father. He is the beloved father of Michelle Peluso and her husband Joseph. He is also survived by a sister, Camille Kurtyka and her husband, Retired Derby Police Detective George F. Kurtyka, father-in-law and mother-in-law Stephen and Joan Uhelsky, sisters-in-law Tonni Grande and Susan Trimarchi, and several cherished nieces, nephews, and cousins, George Kurtyka, Stacey Kurtyka, Frank Rubino, Jr., John Grande, Michael Trimarchi, and Rachel Trimarchi.
He is predeceased by his brother, John F. Grande, and a sister, Lucille A. Rubino and her husband Frank A. Rubino, Sr..
Friends are invited to greet the family at the Edward F. Adzima Funeral Home, 253 Elizabeth Street, Derby, on Tuesday from 3 to 7 PM. On Wednesday, friends are invited to join the family for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM at St. Jude Church, 71 Pleasant View Rd., Derby. Burial will follow at Mt. St. Peters Cemetery.
Contributions can be made to the Griffin Hospital Development Fund,130 Division Street, Derby and to St. Jude’s Church, 71 Pleasant View Rd., Derby, CT 06418.
