Obituary for Richard Leo "Rick" Currier Jr.
NORTHBOROUGH
Richard L. Currier, Jr. passed away suddenly at his home on Friday, December 2, 2022; he was 77 years old. Rick was raised in Rocky River, Ohio, one of three children to Richard L. Currier, Sr. and Nancy Hodgman. He was a 1963 graduate of Rocky River High School and remained close with his friends throughout his life, returning for school reunions, and often sharing memorable stories with his family. Rick briefly attended The Ohio State University before he enlisted in the Air Force. After basic training, he was stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi for a 52-week course in electronics, specifically installing and repairing radio receivers and transmitters. He was then stationed in Okinawa, Japan for two years and Hill Air Force Base in Utah following his tour overseas. Upon his honorable discharge, Rick completed his studies at Cleveland State University and was awarded his BS in Electrical Engineering.
For a number of years after graduating, Rick remained in the Cleveland area where he worked as a bio-medical engineer at Cleveland Clinic and as a Regional Manager at Gould Instruments. In 1979 he relocated to Massachusetts. Equipped with a strong work ethic and desire to start his own company, Rick and his business partner Rob Ackie formed Eastern Systems, Inc., a professional electronic manufacturer’s representative firm that sold OEM software and hardware. He successfully operated the company until his retirement.
Throughout his life, Rick had many interests and hobbies. He was a voracious reader; he loved books on American, Japanese, and Maritime history, as well as US and World current affairs. Each morning, his family would find him sitting in his chair, with a coffee, as he read the Boston Globe cover to cover, including (as his kids often enjoyed) the “funnies”. He and his wife Annette shared a love of early American history and enjoyed learning about and collecting antiques. Rick was on the Board of Directors at the Willard House and Clock Museum in Grafton, MA where he served as their president for 20 years. He practiced Uechi Ryu Karate, which he first began in Okinawa, and continued training in at Tracy Rose’s Dojo in Northborough. He shared his interest in karate with his children and went through the ranks to eventually obtain a second-degree black belt. Rick had a natural talent and understanding of electronics and mechanics and would patiently spend much of his time learning how to fix almost anything (much to the delight of his wife, kids, and friends alike) and was always ready to extend a helping hand. He also enjoyed building crafts from wood, including miniature furniture pieces, and restoring antique clocks and ship paintings. Rick was also interested in archery, gun range shooting, the occasional hunting trip, and fly fishing. He was a certified firearms instructor at the Marlborough Fish and Game Club and volunteered much of his time to teach others the critical importance of safe firearm use. Rick was very involved with his community, and he served as a member of the Northborough Planning Board for nine years. A true patriot and proud veteran, Rick served as past Commander and current Vice-Commander of the Vincent F. Picard American Legion Post 234. There he helped raise money to support the Legion and its veterans, and helped organize events to honor Legion members and their families. During the height of the COVID pandemic, Rick led an effort with the Legion’s members to assist with the shortage of PPE by making and donating hundreds of face shields for health care workers. In the summers, Rick enjoyed spending time at his home in Harwich, MA with his family. He loved the calmness of his home on “driftwood” and the fun and laughter that his family and friends filled it with. Some of his favorite things at the Cape included golfing, gathering for barbeques, and spending time with his kids through the years at the pool or beach.
Rick was a devoted family-oriented man who valued sharing his sense of humor. His friends and family will fondly remember him always laughing or making a light-hearted joke. Through his career, travels, and hobbies, he made many great friends of all different ages and interests. Patient and respectful, Rick always made time for people, with an undivided attention and appreciation for others. While Rick was a man of his word who stood for what was right and was not afraid to speak out, he had a tender heart and a gentleness about him. He was selfless, always ready to help others, including often anonymously to complete strangers.
Surviving Rick is his devoted wife of forty-two years, Annette Currier; Rick’s sister, Kathie Minton; his four children Kimberly LaTessa and her husband David LaTessa, Danielle Currier-Harris and her husband Alex Harris, Chrissy Currier and her fiancé Gavin Adelmann, and Bobby Currier and significant other Kristianna Landry; four grandchildren Siena and Jacoby LaTessa, and Arden and Ivy Harris. Rick’s brother Tommy Currier preceded him in death.
Calling hours will be held 6-8pm on Thursday, December 8 at Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main Street, Northborough. Rick’s funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11am on Friday, December 9 in Saint Rose of Lima Parish, 244 W. Main Street, Northborough.
To assist in Rick’s mission of helping others, please consider directing memorial donations to Vincent F. Picard American Legion Post 234 PO Box 234, Northborough, MA 01532 or by calling 508-393-3641
Richard L. Currier, Jr. passed away suddenly at his home on Friday, December 2, 2022; he was 77 years old. Rick was raised in Rocky River, Ohio, one of three children to Richard L. Currier, Sr. and Nancy Hodgman. He was a 1963 graduate of Rocky River High School and remained close with his friends throughout his life, returning for school reunions, and often sharing memorable stories with his family. Rick briefly attended The Ohio State University before he enlisted in the Air Force. After basic training, he was stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi for a 52-week course in electronics, specifically installing and repairing radio receivers and transmitters. He was then stationed in Okinawa, Japan for two years and Hill Air Force Base in Utah following his tour overseas. Upon his honorable discharge, Rick completed his studies at Cleveland State University and was awarded his BS in Electrical Engineering.
For a number of years after graduating, Rick remained in the Cleveland area where he worked as a bio-medical engineer at Cleveland Clinic and as a Regional Manager at Gould Instruments. In 1979 he relocated to Massachusetts. Equipped with a strong work ethic and desire to start his own company, Rick and his business partner Rob Ackie formed Eastern Systems, Inc., a professional electronic manufacturer’s representative firm that sold OEM software and hardware. He successfully operated the company until his retirement.
Throughout his life, Rick had many interests and hobbies. He was a voracious reader; he loved books on American, Japanese, and Maritime history, as well as US and World current affairs. Each morning, his family would find him sitting in his chair, with a coffee, as he read the Boston Globe cover to cover, including (as his kids often enjoyed) the “funnies”. He and his wife Annette shared a love of early American history and enjoyed learning about and collecting antiques. Rick was on the Board of Directors at the Willard House and Clock Museum in Grafton, MA where he served as their president for 20 years. He practiced Uechi Ryu Karate, which he first began in Okinawa, and continued training in at Tracy Rose’s Dojo in Northborough. He shared his interest in karate with his children and went through the ranks to eventually obtain a second-degree black belt. Rick had a natural talent and understanding of electronics and mechanics and would patiently spend much of his time learning how to fix almost anything (much to the delight of his wife, kids, and friends alike) and was always ready to extend a helping hand. He also enjoyed building crafts from wood, including miniature furniture pieces, and restoring antique clocks and ship paintings. Rick was also interested in archery, gun range shooting, the occasional hunting trip, and fly fishing. He was a certified firearms instructor at the Marlborough Fish and Game Club and volunteered much of his time to teach others the critical importance of safe firearm use. Rick was very involved with his community, and he served as a member of the Northborough Planning Board for nine years. A true patriot and proud veteran, Rick served as past Commander and current Vice-Commander of the Vincent F. Picard American Legion Post 234. There he helped raise money to support the Legion and its veterans, and helped organize events to honor Legion members and their families. During the height of the COVID pandemic, Rick led an effort with the Legion’s members to assist with the shortage of PPE by making and donating hundreds of face shields for health care workers. In the summers, Rick enjoyed spending time at his home in Harwich, MA with his family. He loved the calmness of his home on “driftwood” and the fun and laughter that his family and friends filled it with. Some of his favorite things at the Cape included golfing, gathering for barbeques, and spending time with his kids through the years at the pool or beach.
Rick was a devoted family-oriented man who valued sharing his sense of humor. His friends and family will fondly remember him always laughing or making a light-hearted joke. Through his career, travels, and hobbies, he made many great friends of all different ages and interests. Patient and respectful, Rick always made time for people, with an undivided attention and appreciation for others. While Rick was a man of his word who stood for what was right and was not afraid to speak out, he had a tender heart and a gentleness about him. He was selfless, always ready to help others, including often anonymously to complete strangers.
Surviving Rick is his devoted wife of forty-two years, Annette Currier; Rick’s sister, Kathie Minton; his four children Kimberly LaTessa and her husband David LaTessa, Danielle Currier-Harris and her husband Alex Harris, Chrissy Currier and her fiancé Gavin Adelmann, and Bobby Currier and significant other Kristianna Landry; four grandchildren Siena and Jacoby LaTessa, and Arden and Ivy Harris. Rick’s brother Tommy Currier preceded him in death.
Calling hours will be held 6-8pm on Thursday, December 8 at Hays Funeral Home, 56 Main Street, Northborough. Rick’s funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11am on Friday, December 9 in Saint Rose of Lima Parish, 244 W. Main Street, Northborough.
To assist in Rick’s mission of helping others, please consider directing memorial donations to Vincent F. Picard American Legion Post 234 PO Box 234, Northborough, MA 01532 or by calling 508-393-3641