Richard Jack Herranen, age 77, passed away at his home on Saturday, June 2, 2018. He was born on May 30, 1941 in Ashtabula, Ohio to Eugene Oscar Herranen and Mayme (Nisula) Herranen. Richard is survived by his wife of 15 years, Barbara Baldwin. Richard earned a BA in 1963 at the University of Tennessee where he played catcher on the baseball team. He went on to earn a master’s degree in psychology. He worked as an addiction counselor and had Pathways a small private practice in Colorado. After moving to Rhode Island he worked as a case manager for adults with HIV.
Having lived in Tennessee, Ohio, Georgia and Colorado, Richard followed Barbara back to Rhode Island and fell in love with the smallest state – especially Block Island where he and Barbara lived for 4 years before returning to Providence last year. Some of Richard’s favorite times included Red Sox games at Fenway, traveling with Barbara and taking his dog, Sophie, on long walks. While on Block Island, he served on the Block Island Residents Association Board, and volunteered at the Food Pantry and St. Ann’s By the Sea Episcopal Church.
Richard is survived by his son, Richard Jack Herranen, Jr. and daughters, Letitia Ann Avery and Wendy Esther Herranen; his stepchildren, Andrew Capron (Lisa) and Margaret Grubbs (Charles) and nine grandchildren, William Avery, Maxwell Avery, Chandler Mathews, Tye Herranen, Camilo Campos-Herranen, Samiri Campos-Herranen, William Capron, Benjamin Capron, Madison Grubbs, and Robert Clay Grubbs. He also leaves behind three great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at a date be determined in September at St Ann’s by the Sea Church, Block Island, RI. Donations in Richard’s name may be made to St Ann’s by the Sea in Block Island, RI or the charity of your choice. Information and condolences please visit: www.henault-gallogly.com
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