Frederick A. (Rick) Tripodi passed away Friday, July 30, 2021, after a brief but courageous battle with Kidney Cancer.
Born in Greenwich, CT, on August 2, 1949, to Carmelo and Josephine Bologna Tripodi, he is survived by his loving partner Matthew Brien, his sisters, Anita Walton, her husband Bill Walton and their children, Josh and Alex Walton; and Janet Tripodi Gray, and her husband Zeb Gray. Other survivors include his aunts, Marie B. D’Elia and Tilda B. Fico, his uncle, Dr. Ralph Bologna, and his wife Sheila Bologna; his cousins, Joy D’Elia, her husband Tommy Bledsoe, and their children; Sandra Fico Charni, her husband Andrew, and their children; John Bologna, his wife Patty, and their children; Justin Bologna, his wife Lisa, and their children; Kenneth Bologna, his wife Deidre, and their daughter; and countless friends and colleagues.
A graduate of Saint Mary’s High School in Greenwich, CT, class of 1967, he received his Bachelor degree in 1971 and Masters degree in 1976 in organ performance from The Juilliard School in New York City. Rick went on to have a long career as a church organist and choir director throughout the New York and greater Fairfield County Catholic dioceses, including spending nearly 30 years at Saint John’s RC Church in Darien, CT. Most recently, he was music director and organist at Green Farms Congregational Church in Westport, CT.
In addition to his church positions, Rick regularly performed concerts at many prestigious churches throughout the region, including, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, Trinity Church at Wall Street, and St. Thomas Episcopal Church Fifth Avenue. He was also a consultant to churches in the region and leaves behind a legacy of organ installations, organ consultations, and many friends in the industry.
A memorial mass will be held at Saint Paul’s RC Church, 84 Sherwood Avenue, Greenwich, CT on Saturday, September 25, 2021, at 11:00 am.
Donations may be made in Rick’s memory to Greens Farms Church, 71 Hillandale Road, Westport, CT, 06880.
