East Providence, Rhode Island – Richard J. Fairbanks, 91, died peacefully on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022, at the Hattie Ide Chaffee Home in East Providence, Rhode Island. He was the beloved husband of 67 years of the late Janice (Rudd) Fairbanks. He lived in Barrington, Rhode Island, for many years before retiring to Lake Bomoseen in Castleton, Vermont. His three greatest loves were his wife, his family and music.

Mr. Fairbanks was a music teacher and head of the music department at East Providence High School for 28 years before retiring in 1989. During his tenure there he received the Teacher of the Year award in 1974. Under his leadership, he brought the Choraleers and Meistersingers on concert tours in Europe, Portugal, Hawaii and Bermuda. While at EPHS he produced many musicals and inspired hundreds of students. As a member of the first East Providence Community Chorus, he shared his gifts of choral music with a wider audience and directed the group there from 1962 to 1972.

Born in Pawlet, Vermont, he was a son of the late Eugene and Blodwyn (Hughes) Fairbanks. He is survived by his children and their spouses: R. John of Fairfax, Vermont, Steven (Maura) of Bristol, Rhode Island, and Elizabeth Myers (Scott) of Cotuit, Massachusetts, as well as four grandchildren Jori Goodhue, Madison Fairbanks and Tom and Hunter Myers. He also leaves a sister Sarah Beecroft from Naples, Florida, and was predeceased by a brother E. Bernard Fairbanks.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 6, at 10 a.m. at the Granville United Methodist Church, Church Street, Granville. Burial will follow at Mettowee Valley Cemetery in Granville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to the Chorus of East Providence, PO Box 14563, East Providence, RI 02914.