I am the same age/grade as Richard’s younger sister and grew up two doors from the family. Always had a serious soft spot for him. I continued to see him at family functions a couple of times a year even after we all were out of school.
But my favorite story was about the time we met at the Bottom Line. My husband played in a relatively successful NJ bar band and they were opening for somebody at the Bottom Line. Rich’s youngest brother was accompanying me to the club and Rich was invited to meet us there.
When he walked in it was like a presidential visit. Everybody knew him (really well!), and we were treated like royalty the minute he joined our table. I had no idea.
Richard was always the coolest kid in the neighborhood but I had no idea of the full extent of his coolness until I was in my forties. The world needs more Richard Fantina’s.