Sudden Death Of Religious Educator s Brother Sparks Grief in Tight-Knit Briarcliff Parish
Ian Richards, a PhD student, poet, and artist known for his kindness, inventiveness, and profound empathy, passed very suddenly and tragically, leaving a close-knit parish in Westchester County in mourning.
Briarcliff’s Ian Richards.
According to a recently established GoFundMe set up on behalf of his distraught family, Richards, the younger brother of Kevin Richards, Director of Religious Education at St. Theresa’s Parish in Briarcliff Manor, passed away unexpectedly in a swimming accident in Maryland on Saturday, June 21.
As of Wednesday, June 25, the fundraising had raised almost $14,000. Its goal is to assist his loved ones with unforeseen burial expenditures and associated charges.
“There was no one like Ian,” the ad continues, “He had the gentlest soul: kind, intuitive, and full of deep empathy.”
Ian was the cherished son of lifelong parishioners Paul and Patty Richards, who were born and reared in Westchester. He attended St. Theresa’s Parish School, as did his siblings Kevin and Maryrose. After completing his undergraduate studies at St. Thomas More College and The Erasmus Institute in New Hampshire, Ian went on to attend the Montfort Academy. He graduated from the University of Dallas with a graduate degree in literature.
Richards is survived by his fiancée, Leah, with whom he had what family members called a unique love that was full of happiness, understanding, and a passion for the arts.
Along with his academic accomplishments, Ian was well-known for his upbeat demeanor and diverse interests, which included everything from carpentry, cooking, and interpretive dance to poetry, music, and winemaking.
“He brought silliness and cleverness, with the mischief of a leprechaun, always balanced by humility, thoughtfulness, and care,” the tribute on GoFundMe stated.
Ian’s family, friends, and the parish community of St. Theresa’s have all experienced a deep hole in their lives as a result of the loss.
“Our hearts are broken, and we are struggling to imagine life without him,” appears in the campaign’s headline.
By going here, anyone who would like to donate to support the family can do so.
