Book of Memories for Richard Leonard Elia

Condolence From Maryanne

Sun, 24 Feb 2019 00:04:22 EST

Two Years

Condolence From Kerri Hurley

Mon, 12 Nov 2018 16:35:44 EST

I am just now learning of Professor Elia's passing. He was such a wonderful teacher and kind person. If he hadn't offered to take me on as a directed-study in Literary Criticism, I never would have been able to graduate from Salem. It was a course only offered during the day. I was a night student. I had just had my second daughter and was working full-time. It was one of the very best courses I had the pleasure of taking. I learned so much. It took me 11 years, but I finally got that degree and it meant everything. He was a HUGE part of that success! My most sincere sympathies to his family.

Memorial Candle lit by LeeAnn

Fri, 20 Oct 2017 17:23:29 EDT

LeeAnn

Condolence From LeeAnn Kafer

Fri, 20 Oct 2017 17:00:58 EDT

Condolences to people who knew Dr. Elia and I knew him as well as a professor and I really liked his classes. He inspires all of his students including me at the college and after taking three of his classes and doing well in them he continued to inspire me with telling me to pursue a further degree in Graduate Stuides with an MA in English Literature. He will be dearly missed because his warmth intelligence and wit charmed all of his students including me. He wanted to help every one who came to him for tutoring and was very dedicated to his students with tutoring then one on one and interacting with all of us. He expected this best and will be dearly missed. My condolences go to him and others who knew him. He was a great professor and man and I’m glad I attended three of his classes. Well wishes to his family and friends. 🙂

Condolence From Gary & Kathy Goshgarian

Tue, 28 Feb 2017 15:57:33 EST

It was through my wife Kathy that I met Dick and Harley 45 years ago. She had known them both even longer from the English Department at Northeastern where I still teach. We had become very close over the years, practically family. Dick was Uncle Dick, a generous and classy guy, bigger than life--a man whose presence filled the room, a great raconteur, a teacher and scholar who could charge the air with his wit, intelligence, and warmth. And a man devoted to Harley, his teammate and soulmate. Over the years we had celebrated our friendship, the launching of the QRW, his getting tenure at Salem State, and nearly every birthday and Christmas, gathering at the Winchester CC at a big round table—and at all drinking the world’s finest wines Dick had provided. His death is a loss of not only that of a greatly beloved friend but a part of our lives, a part of ourselves. You may have passed, dear friend, but you will always be with us.

Condolence From Nick Giarratani

Tue, 28 Feb 2017 15:21:34 EST

I will never forget Dr. Elia and all that he did for me. He inspired me to do great things and was more than just a professor. He had a tremendous influence on my life and I will never forget him. If I only inspire my students to 1/10th the level he inspired his, I will consider my life a success. I will miss him terribly.

Condolence From Daniel Bruce

Tue, 28 Feb 2017 14:42:44 EST

I am deeply saddened to hear of Richards passing. He was a very good friend and a strong supporter of mine for the past 30 years. We shared many an evening together, not only at the Quarterly Review of Wine dinners and his legendary Smokers, but also just two friends sharing a great wine together. My heart goes out to Harley and the family. We have lost a great man and his positive influence and impact has been felt by many. I for one am a better person because of Richard. Deepest sympathies.

Memorial Candle lit by Sharon Acres Ozereko

Tue, 28 Feb 2017 11:11:11 EST

Sharon Acres Ozereko

Condolence From William Cornwell

Tue, 28 Feb 2017 11:02:47 EST

Richard was a legend at Salem State University: A favorite professor of students, and a cherished friend and colleague of faculty, staff, and administrators. He embodied the best traditions and values of the institution. Richard loved what he did, and he did it with grace, humor, cheer, and style. The second floor of the Sullivan Building is not the same without him, and I miss him.

Condolence From Rick Meservey

Mon, 27 Feb 2017 20:51:07 EST

I first met Richard when he was hosting a wine dinner for Salem State. We realized we had a mutual friend,no surprise for Richard because he had so many. And so many were students, past and present, and they were always quick to seek him out on campus. When they did, he immediately engaged them, as he did with everyone, and his importance to them was obvious.It was important to me also and I am glad that he considered me a friend. I will miss him.

Condolence From Chris Spinazzola

Mon, 27 Feb 2017 18:10:39 EST

All of us in the Spinazzola family have very special memories of Richard and his remarkable impact, especially through QRW. My most vivid memory of his writing though is very personal, when he wrote about my Dad after his passing in 1985. It meant the world to me. We are sending prayers and hugs to all of you. Richard Elia was a remarkable man.

Condolence From Beth Coughlin

Mon, 27 Feb 2017 16:52:56 EST

I was so sorry to hear about the death of Professor Elia. I am a 1976 graduate of Salem State and had 3 classes with him. He was a wonderful teacher and really deepened my understanding and love of Victorian literature. My sincere condolences on your loss.

Condolence From David Meservey

Sun, 26 Feb 2017 19:47:02 EST

A truly kind and giving person. He helped me to find my path in life and I am fortunate for having had the chance to know him.

Memorial Candle lit by Maria Salerno (SSU student of Dr. Elia's for many years)

Sun, 26 Feb 2017 15:11:12 EST

Maria Salerno (SSU student of Dr. Elia's for many years)

Story shared: A Friend for Life

Sun, 26 Feb 2017 11:20:42 EST

It's so difficult to collect my thoughts about all that Dick and Harley have meant to our family through the years. When my wife Barbara and I were married, she was going into her senior year at Salem State. I was in the Navy in Iceland, and when she joined me there after graduation, she told me about the most extraordinary English professor she had - Richard Elia. When we returned home, I was introduced to one of the finest gentlemen I've ever known and his equally wonderful wife, Harley.

Dick advised Barbara on pursuing her Masters Degree in English at Northeastern, and he advised me on a thesis subject to complete my Masters program at BU.

Through the years, we have been able to stay in touch, and Dick has been there to advise our daughter Amy in her academic journey, and he and Harley were always interested in hearing about our other childrens' college experiences and their lives after college.

About 15 years ago, Dick asked Barbara to become a proof reader for QRW, which enabled us to remain in close contact. Barbara was diagnosed with lymphoma 13 years ago, and the Elias offered constant support and encouragement. The treatments gave Barbara three more years, and she continued doing her QRW work until she was just too ill.

With Dick's passing, the thing that has been uppermost in my mind is that Harley was the last non-family visitor Barbara had, and they had a great time together.

I was able to visit Dick and Harley last week, and for that I'm very grateful. I trust that Dick is in the comfort of God's arms and he and Barbara have had a chance to meet up with Dickens, Ruskin, Hardy and all of the other men and women of letters.

Rest in peace, Professor Elia.

Luke Griffin

Condolence From S.L. Hollingsworth

Sat, 25 Feb 2017 23:06:42 EST

I am so sorry for your loss. Dr. Elia was an amazing man and I am a better person for having known him and having been a part of his teaching. He was passionate about literature and sought to challenge and engage his students to understand and welcome it. He loved Keats,and encouraged my love of Wordsworth. And I shall remember our discussion of John Locke, a man who thought feelings were immaterial, and yet they were not.

Condolence From Perry Glasser

Sat, 25 Feb 2017 15:00:41 EST

Frater, ave atque vale.