GILFORD - Steven S Richmond, 65, of 707 Belknap Mountain Rd in Gilford, NH died on August 27, 2015 after months of care and support from family, loved ones, and medical providers at Concord Hospital, The Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and Brigham and Women’s hospital in Boston. Steven received his BA from UMass Boston in 1972 in literature with high honors, his MA from Boston College in 1974, and his MSW from Simmons Graduate School of Social Work in 1996.
He was born in Weymouth Massachusetts to the late Jack and Helen Richmond and resided in Hingham during his childhood and youth until his high school graduation. Steven began his professional career as a social worker in 1973 in Boston , MA. He retired as state wide director of child welfare policies and procedures in 1984. At this time he began training in Bioenergetic Analysis in Massachusetts. He worked as a bioenergetics therapist from 1984 until 1998 when he moved to New Hampshire. Part time professional employment while in New Hampshire included Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, Den Brae Golf Course in Sanbornton, and Irwin Automotive Group in Laconia.
Lover of the arts Steven was very active on stage and off with the Winnipesaukee Playhouse from its very beginning. He served on the board and was the “ voice of the playhouse” announcing all of its productions prior to the performances. He sang in the church choirs of the Laconia Congregational Church, the Laconia Unitarian Universalist Society of Laconia, and most recently the Gilford Community Church. He also sang with the Pemigewasett Choral Society, The Lakes Region Singers, and the NH Music Festival Symphonic Chorus. Steven is the author of two books in the social work field, a book relating to gender profiling and court accusations, and numerous poems and essays.
Steven loved and was loved deeply by those who survive him; Virginia (Ginny) A. Barunas his life partner, and love of his life for the last seventeen years, and Virginia’s children Laura Barunas of Philadelphia PA, and Alex Barunas and his fiancé Annie Petito of Brookline MA, and by his own children Andrea C Shurtleff, her husband Kevin Shurtleff, and two grandsons Jack and Thomas Shurtleff of Medfield MA, and daughter Nicole E Richmond and her fiancé Jesse Bulpett of Denver Colorado. Family of origin survivors include Linda Fanara of Quincy, MA, Lee Richmond of Jamestown, NC, Susan Amonte of North Port, FL, and Judy Cahalan of Quincy, MA. He also is survived by 6 neices, and 5 nephews.
There will be no calling hours.
A celebration of his life will be held at his home in Gilford at 707 Belknap Mountain Rd. on September 19, 2015 at 1:00pm, and later a private service in Ellsworth Maine. Anyone who wishes to share a picture or story with the family please send them to the Gilford home, or they can be deposited in a memory basket that will be available at his home the day of his service.
Memorial contributions can be made in Steven’s name to the Gilford Community Church, 19 Potter Hill Road,Gilford, NH 03249 or to The Winnipesaukee Playhouse, 50 Reservoir Road, Meredith, NH 03253.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements.