Richard J. Suckau, age 57, passed away on April 19, 2014. He was born on April 4, 1957 in NY. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, April 25, 2014 at 10 a.m. from the Grise Funeral Home, 280 Springfield St, Chicopee followed by a Mass in Mary Mother of Hope Church at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. Richard was a long-time friend and volunteer for the Brain Injury Alliance of CT. As a support group facilitator for over 10 years at BIAC’s support group located at William Backus Hospital, Richard provided peer support to many brain injury survivors. For many years he attended BIAC’s annual Personal Enrichment Retreat and helped raise awareness about brain injury at BIAC’s annual Walk for Thought. Fondly remembered at BIAC as a “gentle giant”, Richard always had a smile for anyone he encountered. He will be missed by all his family and friends. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Brain Injury Alliance of CT, 200 Day Hill Rd, Ste. 250, Windsor, CT 06095.