Funeral Services for Richard Styles Set For Friday; Friends Mourn 'Beautiful Person'

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — Funeral services have been set for Richard Styles, 42, who died tragically Sunday.

Friends were heartbroken this week when news broke that Styles had been killed when he was hit by a taxi on Sunrise Highway in Hampton Bays.

Remembering a man who touched countless lives, Linda Howard-Kloepfer, a longtime music teacher and theater director at Westhampton Beach High School, said, "Ricky was one of my all time favorite students. He was super talented, funny, loving. As someone said recently, 'Everyone loved Ricky'".

Howard-Kloepfer said Styles was a student from his sophomore through senior years at Westhampton Beach High School, where he starred as The Baker in Into the Woods, Herbie in Gypsy and Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof.

"We called him a Golden Boy, because he exuded light and goodness. We are all diminished by his death but fortunate to have shared his time on earth," she said.

In a Facebook post, Diana Giattino Silverman wrote: "We are very sad to announce that our beloved brother, Ricky Styles has passed. Ricky was an incredible husband to our sister Mary and the kindest, gentlest, most beautiful person and we already miss him with all of our hearts."

Brian Tymann, who lives in Westhampton Beach, was shocked and saddened by the news. "I actually hadn't seen Ricky in many years but I grew up with him. We went to South Manor together where he was an all-around popular and likable guy."

Styles, he said, loved acting and was involved with the Gateway Playhouse.

"I miss you Ricky, so much. You'll always be in my heart," said Haley Gillman.

Funeral services will take place Friday, November 25, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Moloney Family Funeral Home, 1320 Lakeland Avenue Bohemia, NY 11716.

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, November 26 at 11 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 25 Ocean Avenue Center Moriches, NY 11934.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Styles' name may be made to two organizations he was passionate about, www.bideawee.org and www.broadwaycares.org, his family said.

Photo courtesy of Haley Gillman.