Blessed with artistic talent
Published July 29, 2020
LYNNFIELD — Steven T. Richard, 58, a longtime resident of Lynnfield, died at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington on March 24, 2020 from COVID-19.
Steven was born in Stoneham on April 20, 1961, and was the youngest of four children of the late Earl L. and Edith M. (Pope) Richard. Steven was a loving husband to Karen Nascembeni, his wife, partner and friend of 30 years. They were married on Sept. 30, 2000 in the beautiful coastal town of Ocean Point, Maine.
Steven was raised in Lynnfield and attended Lynnfield High School. He graduated from the New England School of Photography in Boston. Blessed with artistic talent, Steven was passionate about his calling. For more than three decades, he photographed for numerous organizations, including North Shore Music Theatre, Theatre By The Sea, Cape Live, Boston Ballet, and Black and White Boston as well as numerous design firms and other companies. He also captured precious moments in the lives of family and friends, images that will be forever cherished. He regularly volunteered to take pictures for community events and other nonprofit endeavors. In addition to photography, Steven developed an expertise in home remodeling and became a trusted contractor and property manager. His clients adored hearing him whistling while he worked. He had a zeal for historic preservation and especially enjoyed those projects.
Following in the footsteps of his mother, Steven was an active member of the Lynnfield community, serving on the Lynnfield Historical Commission and on the board of the Lynnfield Historical Society. In both roles, he was a respected, humble voice with deep knowledge of the town’s history. Each December, Steven took pride in organizing the Country Store Christmas fundraiser at the Old Meeting House. For several years, he and his wife co-chaired the beloved community event. A lifelong attendee, Steven loved sharing the fair with his friends, family and new generations of Lynnfield residents, educating attendees about the rich history of the Old Meeting House.
A loyal, faithful man, who was always a steadying presence, Steven was a member of the Centre Congregational Church in Lynnfield, where he generously served on the Lights Out Committee.
Steven loved the arts and regularly attended concerts, theatrical events, jazz and blues shows, museum exhibitions and historical attractions. He also relished spending time on the ocean, a passion instilled in him as a child, when his family vacationed at their cottage in Rye, New Hampshire. He was a skilled kayaker, who could frequently be found gliding along New England’s coasts. In his free time at home, he enjoyed gardening and took great pride in carrying on the family tradition of growing exquisite dahlias. As much as he loved all these pursuits, he was never happier than when sitting at a table with family and friends, enjoying good food and each other’s company.
A cherished husband, son, brother, uncle, cousin and devoted friend, Steven will be remembered for his loving and caring spirit, his gentle, understated nature, his dry wit and his keen intelligence. A true gentleman, Steven was a wonderful person with an enormous heart, who always had time and reassuring answers for those around him in need. His selfless spirit will be sorely missed. His impact will live on in all those he loved as well as through his treasured photographic images and detailed craftsmanship.
Steven is survived by his wife, Karen Nascembeni; his brother Glenn Richard; his sister Doreen DiFillippo and her husband, David DiFillippo; and the Nascembeni family. Steven was predeceased by his mother, Edith M. (Pope) and his brother, Craig Richard. Just five days after Steven’s passing, his father Earl L. Richard, 99, also lost his life to COVID-19. Steven is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, cousins and lifelong friends.
As an expression of sympathy, the family welcomes donations to the Steven T. Richard Memorial Photography Scholarship Fund. The fund was created in Steven’s memory to help support emerging photography students. Donations can be mailed to the Steven T. Richard Memorial Photography Scholarship Fund, 45 Phillips Rd., Lynnfield, MA 01940.
The family will hold a private service at Robinson Funeral Home in Melrose, with burial at Forest Hill Cemetery in Lynnfield. In the spring of 2021, a celebration of Steven’s life and work will take place. As he would have wanted, it will be a vibrant, loving occasion, with food and drinks, friends and family sharing stories, singers and many of his photographs. To sign an online tribute to offer condolences, visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
The Richard, Nascembeni and DiFillippo families are grateful for the outpouring of support shared from family, friends and community members during these last four months. Steven would be genuinely humbled by how many admired, loved and adored him. He truly was one of the good ones.
