Richard E. Willis

Richard E. Willis SALEM — Richard E. Willis, 80, of Salem, New Hampshire, died at home in his sleep on Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022. Born Nov. 26, 1941, he grew up in Claremont, New Hampshire, and was the oldest son of Eugene and Lucia Briggs Willis. His childhood was filled with neighborhood mischief, chemistry experiments gone awry, pony riding and escapades in the woods. Richard loved being a camp counselor, taking kids on cross-country trips, and playing the drums. He was in the marching band at Stevens High School in Claremont, which performed in Dwight D. Eisenhower’s second presidential inauguration parade. At UNH, he was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. While at UNH, he began drumming with jazz musicians at local clubs. He continued his pursuit of chemistry at the master’s program at Syracuse University. While there, he gave into chemistry of a different sort when he met, Anna Cryvoff. They married in 1966 after a brief engagement. After the birth of their first child, the couple bought a home on Canobie Lake where they lived the rest of their lives. Richard was a project manager for Sanders Associates which became BAE Systems in Nashua, New Hampshire. He continued playing jazz gigs in the Portsmouth area and he was a drummer for The Shaw Brothers – a folk duo known for “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing” (known as the Coca-Cola song). He was a pilot and the best neighbor you could wish for. He was funny, self-deprecating, humble, generous, and had a knack for embarking on small adventures when you least expected it. He celebrated the accomplishments of his wife (self-publishing her book), children and grandchildren. He was always quick with a smile and kind words. He loved making up new games with his children, finding laughter in everyday situations – rarely taking anything too seriously. He enjoyed giving back to his community through music ministry at St. Joseph Church in Salem and Saint Thomas Aquinas Church in Derry, New Hampshire, and helping those in need at the Lazarus House in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He enjoyed simple pleasures like relaxed summer days on the beaches of Maine or delectable treats like his famous deep-fried tacos, lobster rolls and, inexplicably, Moxie soda. He loved Canobie Lake and would update family on the activity of the loons and eagles. On clear nights, he loved to set up his telescope and take in the joy of a starry sky. Richard will be missed by his four children, Christopher Willis and wife Karla, of Heber City, Utah, Matthew Willis and partner Sara Bennet Wolfe, of Stratford, Connecticut, Annika Willis Scanlon and husband Brian, of Reading, Massachusetts, and Benjamin Willis and wife Erin, of Burbank, California; his brother, Thomas Willis and wife Robin, of Salem, New Hampshire; brother-in-law Serge Cryvoff and wife Helen, of Fishkill, New York; his seven grandchildren, Hannah, Samuel and Sierra Willis, Luke Bennett Willis, and Bridget, Nathaniel and Michael Scanlon; his nieces and nephew; as well as countless friends. Visitation is Friday, Jan. 28, from 4-7 p.m. at Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main St., Salem, New Hampshire. COVID precautions such as masks and social distancing will be observed. A memorial service is Saturday, Jan. 29, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, 40 Main St., Salem, New Hampshire. Please arrive by 10:45 a.m. Burial will be at a later date. A livestream of the memorial will be available in the lower right-hand corner of our website, www.douglasandjohnson.com once the service begins. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Lazarus House Ministries, 412 Hampshire St., Lawrence, MA 01841; and The Upper Room, 36 Tsienneto Road, Derry, NH 03038. To send a message of condolence to the family, please view the obituary at https://www.douglasandjohnson.com/obituary/richard-willis