Richard Willis
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Richard E. Willis, 80, of Salem, NH died at home in his sleep on Sunday, January 16, 2022. He grew up in Claremont, NH 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, NH, 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 masters 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, NH. 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 Saint Thomas Aquinas Church in Derry, NH and helping those in need at the Lazarus House in Lawrence, MA. 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 4 children, Christopher Willis and wife Karla of Heber City, UT, Matthew Willis and partner Sara Bennet Wolfe of Stratford, CT, Annika Willis Scanlon and husband Brian of Reading, MA, and Benjamin Willis and wife Erin of Burbank, CA; his brother Thomas Willis and wife Robin of Salem, NH; brother-in-law Serge Cryvoff and wife Helen of Fishkill, NY; his 7 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. 28th from 4:00-7:00 PM at Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main St., Salem, NH . The Memorial Service is at 11:00 AM Saturday, Jan 29th at St. Joseph Church, 40 Main St, Salem. Please arrive by 10:45 AM. Burial is at a later date. Covid precautions such as masks and social distancing will be observed. The funeral service will be livestreamed on www.douglasandjohnson.com in the lower right section of the website. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Richard's name to: Lazarus House Ministries, 412 Hampshire St. Lawrence, MA 01841 or The Upper Room, 36 Tsienneto Rd. Derry, NH 03038. To send a message of condolence to the family, please view the obituary at www.douglassandjohnson.com