Richard Papeika, 71, of Woodbridge died peacefully on February 11, 2022 at Smilow Cancer Hospital after a long brave battle with pancreatic cancer.  Rich was born in New Haven on February 8, 1951 to the late Albin and Mary (DeLucia) Papeika.  He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Karen, his son Gregory and daughter-in-law Brenda of Milford, sister Debbie Papeika of Wallingford, brothers Michael and his wife Bonnie of Hamden and Jimmy and his wife Jill of Bethlehem, PA, and his devoted best friend in the world Joe Cuticelli and his wife Leslie of Madison, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Rich grew up in Fair Haven and later Hamden, graduating Hamden High School in the Class of 1969.  Rich was a man dedicated to his work having spent nearly 50 years in the metals industry, first at Detroit Steel in Hamden for nearly 14 years and then Ulbrich Stainless Steel & Special Metals of North Haven for 35 years until his retirement as a Senior Vice President in 2019.  As several people have said, Rich had more fun during his working years than most guys have in retirement.  He traveled the nation and the world for his work, and always found enjoyment in whatever exotic locale in which he found himself from the streets of Paris, France to the melting mills of Mansfield, Ohio, from the golf courses of Ireland to the factories of Owensboro, Kentucky.  In his spare time, Rich could often be found cooking up some classic or novel recipe in his kitchen, enjoying a cigar on the golf course with his son and his friends, or warming a barstool at Eli’s in Hamden or the Elks Lodge in Branford with a vodka in his hand (on the rocks with a twist of lemon).  He was a lifelong fan of the Yankees, Rangers, and Giants (often shouting vociferously at the TV when the game wasn’t going his team’s way) and was known to have some success in picking horse races.  His favorite day of the year was the annual Manhattan Pub Crawl taking place the Tuesday before Thanksgiving every year since 2003 always kicking off at PJ Clarke’s on 55th and 3rd – hence to be renamed the Rich Papeika Memorial Pub Crawl.

Though his immediate family was small, Rich was a doting family man.  To his wife, Karen, he was a provider and a rock, and though they could be a pain-in-the-you-know-what to each other, he never failed to give her anything she needed or wanted.  To his son, Greg, he was not only a dad but much like a big brother as well.  Greg and Rich were golfing partners, drinking buddies, and travel companions.  Rich gave his son the world, having put him through years of school and allowed him to have a life that Rich could never have.  Rich dearly loved his daughter-in-law Brenda, his eyes lighting up whenever she was around.  To his friend Joe, he was the best friend a guy could ever have, and never have again.

Rich was a true gentleman, and though he was often quiet, he had a warm way about him that left people charmed and comforted.  He was larger than life in a very subtle way and had a quick wit that made everyone laugh.  He was generous to all and never hesitated to help out those in need and always made certain that he was the one to pick up the check after dinner.  He will be deeply missed by his family and friends, including all the people he worked with at Ulbrich throughout the years, as well as bartenders around the country and the world.

Per Rich’s request, there will be no visitation or formal services.  Though everyone will surely miss him dearly, Rich wasn’t one to want people crying over his loss.  So, in true Rich Papeika fashion, he requested that his family and friends gather for a “celebration of life” send-off party with plenty of great food and drinks on him.  That send-off will happen sometime during this upcoming spring.

Rich’s family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of Smilow Cancer Hospital for their compassionate care throughout the last year.  They provided him comfort and care that was unmatched in his last days.  For those so inclined, donations may be made in Rich’s memory to the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, the American Cancer Society, or the charity of one’s choice.