Richard A. Harlow, “Dick,” age 73, formerly of Bedford, NH, died peacefully on Monday, December 15, 2014 at his home in Bradenton, FL. He had lived in Bedford for twenty eight years before retiring to Florida with his wife Victoria (nee Venuti) in 2004.

Dick was born in Jersey City, NJ and grew up in New Milford, NJ. He is the middle son to Elizabeth (1980) and Robert Harlow (2000). Along with his two brothers, Peter (2001) and Jim, the three of them brought their mother more than her fair share of excitement, to say the least. The three boys shared one bedroom, and the whole family shared just one bathroom in their small Cape Cod style home. It wasn’t until the boys were in their teenage years that their father was able to finish the upstairs of the home, making way for a much-needed second bathroom and two small bedrooms. Dick and his brothers each graduated from Bergen Catholic High School and Dick was among the first students to finish all four years at the new high school, graduating in 1959. He began college, majoring in physical education, at Montclair State before deciding to join the U.S. Army in 1962. He proudly served for three years, with most of that time being spent in Germany, where he earned the Good Conduct Medal and the Expert Marksmanship Badge. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1965 and returned to Montclair State to continue his education.

Dick initially settled in Hazlet, NJ with his then-wife, Nancy (nee Karsmarski), and two children, Laura and Scott. In 1977, he took a job with Digital Equipment Corp., “DEC,” and moved his family to Bedford, NH. Moving to New Hampshire from New Jersey was a big step for the whole family, but he quickly became involved in the Bedford community and the whole family fell in love with their adoptive home. Dick became a member of the Bedford Men’s Club and he was among the volunteers at Bedford Mall selling Christmas trees many cold December nights for the annual fundraiser. He also enjoyed the many friends he made at the Bedford Bluffs Swim and Tennis Club. A story that often made Dick laugh includes one particular summer when he spent a great deal of time at the Bedford Bluffs with this family, because he was between jobs. This led some of the gossipmongers at the club to believe he must be independently wealthy when, in fact, he was simply unemployed. Rather than clue them in to the reality of his situation, he instead let them run amok with their rumors! It was comical. Nevertheless, he made many good friends at the Bedford Bluffs and played tennis there as often as he possibly could. An avid sports fan, Dick loved baseball and helped to coach Bedford Little League during the 1980’s. Dick truly became a “New England” sports fan; devoted to the Red Sox and Patriots – watching every game he could. He was a great cook too and his children recall how they always looked forward to his Sunday morning omelets – they were the best! He was a master on the barbeque grill, and the Christmas Lamb he cooked was pure perfection. Christmas was always a special time in his home. For years, a large group of family would gather in Bedford, many traveling all the way from New Jersey to celebrate Christmas together. Summer vacations were also special when Dick would take his family to Eagle Camp on South Hero Island, Vermont. Every year, during the same week in August, the family would pack up and travel to Eagle Camp where they would be joined by several other families from all over the North Eastern U.S. It was an annual ritual for him and they all made great memories. Dick was charismatic, sociable, and made friends everywhere he went. He will surely be missed by his family and a great number of dear friends.

Dick met his current wife Victoria (nee Venuti), “Vici”, and the two of them married in 2004. They moved to Bradenton, Florida that same year at the behest of Dick’s schoolmate and lifelong friend; Denis Dwyer. Dick was a little apprehensive about Florida at first, but he quickly made new friends and settled right in. He joined the Meadows Country Club, started playing tennis, and loved the social scene there. He was very proud of his new home there and even had a fireplace installed so he didn’t feel too far removed from New Hampshire. His screened-in pool became a labor of love and hanging out on his lanai to relax, read, or enjoy an afternoon cocktail was a daily pastime. He and Vici enjoyed entertaining at their home and had some wonderful parties. Vici too is a great cook, and Dick’s friends would often ask him “how can you stay so thin when your wife cooks like this?” He and Vici had a loving marriage and Dick was soft and kind with a “pudding heart.” They had both hoped to have many more years together and she will miss him dearly.

Dick is survived by his devoted wife of ten years; Victoria (nee Venuti) Harlow of Bradenton, Florida, his two children; Laura Vander May and her husband Ken of Wayne, New Jersey and Scott Harlow and his wife Elizabeth of Bedford, New Hampshire, five grandchildren; Kianna and Riley Harlow of Bedford, New Hampshire, and Courtney, Emily and Nick Vander May of Wayne, NJ, one brother; Jim Harlow and his wife Jill of Ohio, his former wife Nancy Harlow of Merrimack, New Hampshire, and many more family and dear friends.