Obituary: Rich Alden
Richard James Alden of Rindge, N.H., a long-time advertising and sales representative for Fuel Oil News and other publications, died on July 4 after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 68.
Owner of Alden Sales, Inc., he worked as an advertising and sales representative for 34 years before retiring in 2022. His honesty and diligence resulted in lasting friendships with colleagues and customers alike.
His survivors include Laurie (Drischell) Alden, his wife of 42 years.
Alden was a 1974 graduate of Corcoran High School in Syracuse, N.Y., and graduated from St. Bonaventure University, Olean, N.Y., in 1978 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration Management.
In addition to spending time with his family, his passions included Formula 1 racing, driving sports cars, especially Italian and British models, building models, and classic rock music. He was an avid supporter of St. Bonaventure basketball and was also a lifelong New England sports fan, even from his early days growing up in Syracuse.
Alden served as treasurer of Advent Lutheran Church in Rindge and as a deacon at the United Church of Jaffrey, N.H. He also coached many athletic teams through Rindge Youth Athletic Association, and he actively supported and participated in the Meals on Wheels program.
Alden is predeceased by his parents, Frederick Robert Alden and Marian Trouskie Alden Lamanna. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Elaine Alden Smith (James) and grandchildren Jolene, Alden, and Kieran Smith of Celbridge, Ireland; a son, Nathaniel (Anna Lee Franklin) of Hanson, Mass.; a sister, Janet Alden of Port Charlotte, Fla.; and a brother, Robert Alden of Birmingham, Ala.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory to United Church of Jaffrey or to St. Bonaventure University are requested. “Rich was a great guy to work with,” said Fuel Oil News’ associate publisher, Dave Campbell. Steve Bennett, Fuel Oil News’ editor, said, “Rich was a gentleman, a pleasure to work with, and always in a good humor.”
