Rian Harford, 45

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Rian Harford was born on December 4, 1973. He died on February 11, 2019, but not before leaving a lasting impact on many. 

He was raised in Lanesborough and New Ashford and graduated from Mt. Greylock  in 1992. He was the kind of person that helped define you, someone who deepened your sense of adventure, eliminated your fears, and expanded your vision. Rian was charismatic, patient, hard working and non-judgmental. He had a wide variety of passions, including skiing, gardening, and riding his Harley. 

A true Renaissance man, Rian was, like his grandfather, mechanically gifted. He took on all of life’s challenges, great or small, physical or mental, with fearless determination. He selflessly helped anyone in need. People could not help but smile in his presence. Rian previously worked at Jiminy Peak and later as a licensed electrician. For the past few years, he was the maintenance supervisor at the Red Lion Inn. He loved the people he worked with, particularly his co-worker and good friend, Dave Griffin. 

He worked hard to overcome the darkness of addiction and successfully did so over the past few years. He also sought to help others in their recovery. He believed in the importance of eliminating stigma and treating everyone with compassion and respect. His kindness and perseverance will be remembered by all who knew him.  

Rian leaves his parents, Richard and Marsha (Chase) Vinette of Lee; his fiancee and love of his life, Katie-Rose Decandia of Lanesborough; his brother and sister-in-law, Jereme and Jacqueline Vinette of Adams; his daughters, Ariana Gazzaniga and Catarina Cowley of Florida; his Auntie Karen and Uncle Richard Rollins, Uncle Mark Harford, Aunt Elizabeth Chase, Nick and Renee Decandia; his life-long best friend, Douglas White; and his godmother Kim Stetz-Anastasia. 

He is predeceased by his biological father, Scott Harford; as well as his grandparents Lawrence and Norma Chase, Ernest and Percy Harford, Richard and Agi Vinette, his Uncle Ernest Chase, and other special people in his life.

As a friend recently said, “Rian feared nothing, yet had a calm and kindness that was unmatched. He had more adventures, thrills, and outstanding moments than most could ever wish for. There are 90 year old people that haven’t lived even close to what Rian did. His contagious smile and friendships will remain with us forever.”

Funeral notice: A gathering to celebrate Rian’s life will take place on Wednesday, February 20, 2019, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the Hitchcock Room at the Red Lion Inn on Main Street in Stockbridge.

Suggested ways to honor Rian: have an adventure, plant something in his memory, reach out to someone in need, or contribute to an organization of your choice in his name. A special thanks to the Red Lion Inn and Derys.