Richard B. Spero Jr., a lifelong resident of East Hampton who ran a pool service company here, died of cardiac arrest at home in East Hampton Village on Aug. 28. He was 57.
Born on April 4, 1967, he was the only child of Constance and Richard B. Spero. He attended Most Holy Trinity Parish School through eighth grade, and was a standout football and baseball player for East Hampton High School, being named captain of both varsity teams and leading the baseball team to a state championship in his senior year.
After graduating in 1985, he attended Penn State University, earning a baccalaureate degree from the College of Agricultural Sciences. He rejected an offer for an executive position with Nebraska-based Conagra, returning instead to East Hampton to build his own pool service company, which grew to maintain 50-plus residential accounts. During the winter months, he also served as a long-term substitute teacher in the Wilton, Conn., public school system and helped manage Scrivener Farm, the family’s Connecticut horse farm.
His passion from an early age was saltwater fishing, and he could often be found post-Labor Day at favored fishing spots in Springs, Amagansett, and Montauk. He was an active participant in the annual Montauk Locals Surfcasting Tournament, frequently posting leading catch-and-release results.
During the 1990s, he was a member of the East Hampton Town men’s slow pitch softball league, traveling “eight days a week” according to fellow teammates, to games throughout Long Island and as far away as New York City.
He is survived by his partner of 28 years, Randall Swatek of East Hampton and Wellington, Fla., and his father, who lives in Springs. Also surviving are his children Tyler Mecozzi of Stamford, Conn., and Harrison Cole Carbone of Los Angeles. He leaves behind two grandchildren, Jackson and Riley Mecozzi, two cousins, and many friends in the East Hampton community. His mother died before him.
A celebration of life will be held at a future date.
