Suffield Obituary: Richard Kretschmar, Jr., 62

Richard "Rick" I. Kretschmar, Jr. of Suffield, born December 5, 1953 in Portsmouth, VA then a lifetime resident of the Springfield area, died peacefully in his sleep on November 6, 2016.

He was predeceased by his father, Richard I. Kretschmar, and survived by his mother, Joan H. Kretschmar, his loving wife, Elizabeth "Betty" Ayres, daughter Christine Freiburger (Brett), son Andrew Kretschmar (Allison), brother Ron Kretschmar (Sue), and three stepdaughters Sara Fisher (Rick), Christine McAndrew (Brian) and Catherine VanGundy (Steve), as well as 5 step-grandchildren, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and the mother of his children, Lani Kretschmar.

Rick graduated from STCC and WNEC and worked for many years at Hamilton Standard, then became a manager at a Cumberland Farms store in 2007. A longtime lover of music, he was a member of Sing Out Springfield, the "Old School" band, Wilbraham Mixed Chorus, and Wilbraham Men's Glee Club, as well as several church choirs.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Notes for Notes at https://connect.clickandpledge.com/Organization/notesfornotes/Fundraiser/Richard Kretschmar, a nonprofit organization that provides youth with free music instruments and instruction, production, and recording, in a studio environment housed in Boys & Girls Clubs and recreation centers around the country.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 19, 2016, 1:30 PM at First Church of Christ in Longmeadow, 763 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow, MA.

To leave on-line condolences please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com.