Richard "Dick" Schena

PLANTSVILLE – Richard “Dick” Schena, 86, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, February 16, 2020. He was the husband of Mary Ellen (Murray) Schena.

Dick was born November 19, 1933, in Haverhill, MA, the son of the late Joseph F. and Corinne Schena. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. He was a longtime Cheshire resident before moving to Plantsville in 2007. His family was a founding family of St. Thomas Becket Church where he served on various committees and devoted many hours volunteering for charitable causes. After moving to Plantsville, he was a communicant of St. Aloysius Church.

Besides his wife of 55 years, Dick is survived by his sons Bob Schena (Melissa) of Cheshire, Matt Schena (Taynor Muanghom) of Boston; his daughters Christine Murray of Hampton, NH, and Patrice Schena of Oviedo, FL; his grandchildren Max, Ian, and Saer Murray; Dan and Ben Schena, and Estelle, Pierre and Olivia Cachat, and Danielle and Samantha Grenon. In addition to his parents, Dick is predeceased by his son Greg Schena and his brother Bob.

Dick spent many hours on the sidelines supporting his children's sports activities, always a dedicated coach and fan, and freely offered loving suggestions for improved performance. Dick was a lover of American classic cars, and owned a number of Corvettes and Mustangs over the years. He treated all his cars with the utmost care and reverence. Dick loved history and old movies, especially westerns. He was an avid fan of Boston sports, and his knowledge of statistics and players was unparalleled. He devoutly followed the Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics, and UConn women’s basketball. He loved to recall attending the first Boston Patriots game in 1960, and meeting Vince Lombardi, who invited him on a tour of the Green Bay Packers’ locker room and stadium.

“Papa” was a devoted grandfather to his 10 grandchildren. He was very proud of all of their accomplishments, and whole-heartedly supported them in all their endeavors. Throughout the years he was instrumental in family fun. We played pepper and hotbox on the street, hit the baseball around at the local field, shot hoops, and ran football plays in the TV room during commercials. We will miss his gentle teasing, wrestling and forever joking. Dick loved the beach, and we have fond memories of beach vacations at Hampton Beach and Old Saybrook.

We will fondly recall all Papa’s stories of his Haverhill upbringing and youthful adventures, such as driving his father’s bakery delivery truck at the age of 14, lifeguarding at Hampton Beach, and bartending and managing his father’s nightclub in Bradford, MA. Each time we visited Haverhill, his pride and strong sense for his Italian heritage was evident. An important landmark to him was the memorial to Haverhill’s Vietnam Veterans lost in the war. He is now reunited with his younger brother Bob, a Marine helicopter pilot we lost in 1967, and with his beloved son Greg, killed by a drunk driver in 2010.

Arrangements – Services will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2020, with his funeral procession leaving the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 S. Main St. at 9:30 A.M., proceeding to St. Bridget of Sweden Parish/St. Thomas Becket Church 435 North Brooksvale Road, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 A.M. Burial will follow in Cheshire Hillside Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial Contributions may be made to MADD, 317 Foxon Rd, East Haven, CT 06513, or to Homes for our Troops, 6 Main St., Taunton, MA 02780, or www.hfotusa.org.