Atkinson, NH: Richard "Rick" A. Gardella, Jr.,61, of Atkinson and a former twenty year resident of Kingston, died suddenly at home from natural causes on Monday, June 12, 2023. He was born in Haverhill, MA, son of the late Richard A. and Jacqueline (Kitson) Gardella.

Raised and educated in Atkinson, he attended the Rockwell School and Atkinson Academy, and was a member of the Timberlane Regional High School Class of 1980. Rick was a standout in several varsity sports and was named in his senior year to the New Hampshire Shrine Football Team in recognition of his skills and dominance on the football field. He was recruited by Boston University on full scholarship where he continued to excel on the gridiron while studying to earn his Bachelor's Degree in Education. He would later earn his Master's Degree in Special Education from Salem State College and dedicated the next forty years of his life to the education of children with special needs. Primarily a Mathematics and Science teacher, he was also a dedicated special needs teacher and at various times also taught History. Presently he was teaching at Everett (MA) High School, and had previously taught at Swampscott High School, Haverhill High School and Lawrence Vocational and Technical High School.

Following his successful high school and collegiate sports career, Rick dedicated much of his time coaching to help the following generations to reach their full potential. During the span of his coaching career, he led several Championship high school football and track teams. His knowledge of the sports he coached was surpassed only by his dedication to the students that he helped to succeed. In addition to coaching Boy's Football and Track at the high schools where he was teaching, he also coached a girls softball team. He was also the founder and longtime director of the Georgetown, MA Recreation Program.

Another important passion of Rick's was Rock music. Having attended hundreds of concerts and amassing a record collection that would make anyone envious, there was hardly a rock band that Rick did not know and love. But, his favorites were the standouts from his early days, like Led Zeppelin, The Who, The Rolling Stones and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Rick lived a life of kindness, compassion, and genuine caring for those around him. He was a devoted son, brother, grandson, Godfather and friend. No one could tell a story like Rick! Anybody who knew him would tell you that. He will be fondly remembered for his infectious laugh and ability to make others laugh. His spirit will live in us all forever, guiding and inspiring others to live a full and complete life full of love and laughter.

Rick will be missed everyday by his loving and dedicated sister Melissa Gardella-Godbout and brother-in-law Christopher Godbout of Atkinson, NH, as well as several cousins and extended family members, and is also survived by his former wife, Carmen Thomas and hundreds of loving friends.

Rick's Life Celebration will be held on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 12 0'clock Noon at Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main St., Plaistow NH. His funeral service will follow at 12:15 in the funeral home chapel and with burial in Atkinson Cemetery. The family respectfully requests that those attending dress casually and if possible wear their favorite Hawaiian shirt and sports cap

in memory of Rick's relaxed style. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Shriner's Burns Hospital, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA, or to Saint Jude Childrens' Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis TN. To send a message of condolence to the family or to share a cherished memory, please visit: www.brooksidechapelfh.com