Obituary of Richard Tarpey

Richard J. Tarpey, “Ace Statistician” and retired from “1010 Comm Ave” as the Director of Administration and Finance for the Department of Public Safety passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, February 21, 2013. He was 78 years old. Dick was born in Somerville, the son of Irish immigrants, the late Edward and Mary Ellen Tarpey. He grew up in Brighton and was a graduate of Brighton High School. He enlisted in the Army and served during the Korean War as a Corporal in Company F of the Army’s 7th Infantry Regiment. He served his country proudly for 3 years and was the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. He returned home and furthered his education at Bentley College where he received a BS Degree in Accounting and Finance. He began his career as an Auditor for Financial Contracts at ITEK. He then went to work as an auditor for the Commonwealth of MA. At the end of his career he was the Director of Administration and Finance for the Committee on Criminal Justice. Under his position as Director came the State Police and State Crime Lab. He was so proud of both Departments and of the fact that, as a civilian he held the honor of being a Special State Police Officer. Dick was not a person who could sit idle. He was passionate, caring, and determined. If Dick believed in a cause or political candidate, he would do whatever was in his ability to support them. He was active in local and state elections and actively supported many candidates including Tip O’Neill, Rep. Charles Murphy, Attorney General Martha Coakley, Clerk of Courts Michael Sullivan, and countless other candidates and causes. He also served on the Burlington Ways and Means Committee. He was a life member of the VFW and Knights of Columbus. He was a 3rd Degree member of the K of C, served as a Trustee, helped run the Minstrel Shows, and participated in the fundraising activities. He was an active member of the JAYCEES in Burlington. He was a long time coach for Burlington Babe Ruth baseball. In his retirement, Dick worked as a courier for Iron Mountain Company. He also delivered lunches for the Meals on Wheels program. In the 1970’s Dick began his sports career with Boston College football by filming games. He later moved on to be the statistician for radio broadcast. Dick became well known as a statistician for both Boston College and the New England Patriots. During the famous Flutie Hail Mary Pass in the 1984 Orange Bowl game, in all the excitement it was Dick who in his enthusiasm shouted over the broadcast, “He got it! He got it!” For the past 28 years, and for decades to come, Dick’s voice will always be part of that historical event. He then continued to record and feed stats to Gil Santos in the radio broadcast booth for WBCN home of the New England Patriots as the Ace Statistician until he retired in 2000. Dick was always on the go. In addition to his service with the Knights of Columbus, he served as President of the Boston Skating Club and was an avid golfer. He loved testing his luck at Foxwood’s Casino. He enjoyed traveling and going on cruises and only weeks ago returned from his last cruise. He was always up for a game of Gin. He loved watching all sports everywhere. He was very proud of his Irish heritage and visited the birthplaces of his parents in Sligo and Galway County Mayo, Ireland. He proudly supported his fellow veterans at many ceremonies and events. Dick made a point to do acts of kindness every day. Whether it was a kind word, a helping hand, or a bouquet of flowers, if it brought a smile to someone’s face, he was happy. Dick was a devoted family man, a caring and supportive father, and an over the top grandfather “GPAH”. He could never say no to his grandkids and was always there to support them in whatever way he could. Dick lived his life to the fullest with love, excitement, and passion. Dick was the husband of the late Carol A. (McDonough). He was the loving father of Mary Tarpey of Burlington, Julie Tarpey-Gosselin & her husband Dennis of Burlington, Terri Tarpey-Clement & her husband Jim of Burlington and Richard Tarpey & his wife Renee of Pelham, NH. He was the brother of Tom of Charlton, John of Carver, Frank of Dedham, James of Wakefield, Robert of Braintree and the late Joseph Tarpey, Mary Mahoney and Eileen Woods. He was the proud Grandfather of Buddy & his wife Brianne, Julieann, Jason, Sophie & Richie Tarpey and Dennis Gosselin. He was the brother-in-law of Sister Julie McDonough SND of Ipswich, Joyce Nelson of New Market, NH and the late Jacquelyn Jensen. His extended family included his loving companion Marlene Herlihy of Winchester and her sons Glen, Mark, Shawn, and Scott Herlihy. He is survived by many nieces and nephews. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours are Monday, 4-8 p.m. Interment is at Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Dick’s name may be made to People Helping People, PO Box 343, Burlington, MA 01803.