Richard de Garavilla

For almost 62 years, Richie de Garavilla was a much-loved and cherished part of our family - the heart of it in so many ways.

Born on October 26, 1964, in Stoneham, Massachusetts, to the late Rose and Richard de Garavilla, Richie grew up in Wakefield as one of nine children. He passed away peacefully on September 8, 2026.

Richie had a personality all his own - warm, funny, social, and always ready to connect with the people around him. His mother was a strong advocate for special needs services, helping Richie find opportunities to thrive at school, Camp Hope, and Special Olympics. He loved being active and social but had no real concept of competition; even at Special Olympics swimming events, it was all about having fun and chatting with his competitors. Richie shared a deep bond with his grandparents, who treated him with extraordinary love and made him feel especially cherished.

As he grew older, Richie moved from Wakefield into independent living in Peabody and later Wenham, where he enjoyed the activities and friendships in his group homes. But more than anything, he loved sharing in our family holiday and birthday celebrations, cookouts and campfires, trips to Maine, New Hampshire, and the Cape, movies, and sleepovers with his sisters. He loved his nieces and nephews and, of course, his beloved butternut donuts. Music and dancing brought him great joy, especially Grease and Saturday Night Fever

He was predeceased by his eldest brother, Dr. Stephen de Garavilla of Wakefield, and is survived by Stephen’s wife, Patty de Garavilla of Wakefield, as well as his siblings Alan de Garavilla and husband Roger of Everett; Larry de Garavilla and wife Donna of Downingtown, Pennsylvania; Susan Chau and husband Qui of Framingham; Barbara Orlowitz and husband Ben of Wakefield; Jim de Garavilla and wife Tammy of Silsbee, Texas; Cindy Saggar and husband Sandy of Rockville, Maryland; and Paula Driscoll and husband Tim of Bedford; as well as 19 nieces and nephews and 23 grandnieces and nephews. We are grateful to the many caregivers who were part of Richie’s life over the years.

His Funeral Mass will be held on Monday September 14 at St. Joseph Church, 173 Albion Street Wakefield at 11:30 a.m. Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave. Wakefield on Monday, prior to the mass from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Special Olympics of Massachusetts.