Richard G. Velasquez
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Franklin-----Richard G. Velasquez, 58, of 94 Babbitt Road, died at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon on Saturday, November 15, 2008.

Rich was born September 8, 1950 in Pueblo, Colorado, the son of Gabriel and Frances (Cortez) Velasquez. He lived in Laconia for several years before moving to Franklin five years ago. He was employed by ACS SIMCO for thirteen years.

Rich was a communicant of St. Joseph Church, Laconia.

Rich was a very active member of the Laconia Little League and the Armand J. Laramie Babe Ruth League. In 1996, he joined the Laconia Little League Baseball Umpire Staff and was an active Little League Volunteer Umpire in Laconia. He became a member of the Laconia four-man Little League NH District II Tournament crew in 1997 and was a member of the Laconia Little League Board of Directors as Player Agent. In 2007, he became the Laconia Little League Umpire in Chief.

Rich was an active Armand J. Laramie Babe Ruth Umpire since 1999 and was Umpire in Chief since 2003. In 2003, he became a member of the Babe Ruth Baseball Board of Directors as UIC. Rich was instrumental in bringing the 13-year old Babe Ruth State Tournament to the Lakes Region where it has been held over the past two years. Because of his efforts, the Babe Ruth 14-year old Tournament, in addition to the 13- year old Tournament, will be held at Robbie Mills Park.

Rich was a member of the New Hampshire Baseball Umpire Association (High School Baseball) since 2004 and was an umpire at the Little League Baseball Eastern Regional Tournament in 2007 in Bristol, CT.

Rich was passionate about and dedicated to the youth of the community and knew many of the kids by name.

Rich is survived by his wife, Cynthia Ann (Holman) Velasquez, of Franklin; his mother, Frances Velasquez, of Pueblo, Colorado; three sons, Marc Velasquez and Rob Velasquez, both of Boston, Mass. and Mark Turner of Franklin; a daughter, Bethann Trippiedi and her husband, Jason, of Manchester; four sisters, Marion Johnson of Penrose, Colorado, Lorraine FitzGerald and her husband, Joe, of Pueblo, Colorado, Mary Lou Romero of Pueblo, Colorado, Phyllis Tafoya and her husband, Mark, of Pueblo, Colorado; one grandchild, Tucker Riley Trippiedi, of Manchester; three nieces and six nephews. Rich was predeceased by his father, Gabriel Velasquez, and by a brother-in-law, Darryl Johnson.

There will be no calling hours.

A Rosary will be recited at 5:30PM on Thursday, November 20, 2008 at St. Joseph Church, 30 Church Street, Laconia, N.H. followed by a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial at 6:00PM Rev. Gary Kosmowski, Pastor of the Church, will be the celebrant.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Rich Velasquez Youth Sports Equipment Foundation c/o Citizens Bank, 921 Central Street, Franklin, N.H. 03235 or c/o any Citizens Bank.

Wilkinson-Beane Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N. H. is in charge of the arrangements.