Richard Patrissi

Richard Patrissi (1937 - March 7, 2013) was the chairman of the annual Park Road Parade and the longtime proprietor of Patrissi Nursery. He was instrumental in the transformation of Park Road from an area riddled by crime to a prosperous neighborhood with several popular restaurants, bars, and a playhouse. In October 2014, the community dedicated a memorial clock to him after the 17th Annual Park Road Parade.

Life and Death
Richard F. Patrissi was born in 1937 to Frank Patrissi and Teresa Repole in the Hartford area in Connecticut; however, his family moved to West Hartford when he was a boy. He became enmeshed in his community through the nursery, which his father opened in 1942 on Ringgold Street off of Park Road. Patrissi graduated from Hall High School in 1955 as President of the class. He graduated in 1959 from Providence College and remained active as an alumnus throughout his life. He was the longtime proprietor of Patrissi Nursery, where he met and made many friends. He married his wife, Norma Gracie.

Richard was very active in all aspects of West Hartford and was known as the unofficial "Mayor of Park Road." He was a member of the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Park Road Parade, and a supporter of the Intensive Education Academy. In 1992, he formed an association with Angelo Faenza, the owner of Prospect Cafe and president of the Park Road Business Association. In September 1987, he attended the wedding of his daughter, Susan, in Newington. In 1995, the Hall High School graduating class of 1955 gathered on the front steps of the school for the 40th anniversary. In the 1990's, he sold the Patrissi Nursery. Soon after his death in 2013, his family bought back the nursery. In 2000, he attended the swearing in of his two sons, Richard and Robert, into the Hartford Fire Department.

On March 7, 2013, Patrissi died at Hartford Hospital at the age of 76. Besides his wife, he was survived by his children: He was also survived by ten grandchildren.
 * Susan Patrissi - m. Sept. 19, 1987 - Thomas Calvi
 * Lori Patrissi - m. Vincent Errico
 * Richard J. Patrissi - m. Heather Patrissi
 * Robert Patrissi
 * Ron Patrissi