Plan for the Future
Richard John Storch, 85, of Nantucket, MA passed away on Saturday, April 1, 2023. Richard was born on December 3, 1937, to Michael Daniel and Rose Marie (Griffith) Storch in Elizabeth, NJ. Along with his three siblings, he grew up in the tight knit community of Hillside NJ. It was there that he forged many friendships that continued throughout his life.
After serving in the Army, he studied accounting at Montclair State College and held positions at several accounting firms. Always the consummate entrepreneur, he was restless in a traditional corporate environment. Leveraging his business connections, he founded several successful businesses before starting an Italian food manufacturing and distribution business, Campy Foods in Maplewood, NJ. He owned this business for 30 years before selling it and retiring permanently to Nantucket in 2003.
In 1976, he married his wife, Maryann Wasik and they lived in Maplewood, NJ for almost 20 years. Together they enjoyed traveling, searching out new dining experiences and attending ballet and the symphony. A long weekend on Nantucket in 1985 lead to many vacations and finally purchasing land and building a home in 1993. It was here that he welcomed and enjoyed time with family and friends. He took great pride in touring house guests around the island, sharing his knowledge of local history.
An outgoing, inquisitive person, he thoroughly enjoyed getting to know people and bringing them into his circle of friendship. He had a deep love of music from classical to hard rock with everything in between and the louder the better. Through many illnesses and deteriorating physical abilities, he never lost his signature smile, his impeccable style, particularly when it came to tie selection, or his interest in a good game of Scrabble with his friend and caregiver, Elaine Flynn.
Richard was predeceased by his parents, his brothers Donald Storch and Robert Storch and his daughter Elizabeth Storch. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Maryann Wasik, his grandsons, whom he took great pride in, Eric Hess and Christopher Hess, his sister Arlene Rizzo and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation is from Wm. A. Bradley & Son Funeral Home, 345 Main Street, Chatham, NJ, April 11, 2023, 4:00 – 6:00 PM. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at Saint Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church in Stirling, NJ at 10:00 AM on April 12, 2023, followed by internment in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover, NJ. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory can be made to Elder Services of Cape Cod & the Islands, 144 Orange Street, Nantucket, MA 02554 for the Congregate Lunch Program
