Richard Francis Tinory, whose celebrated life spanned 92 years, passed away at South Shore Hospital on Friday, January 2nd 2026. He was born on April 7th 1933—a trying time in American history—to Thomas and Delia Tinory. From modest beginnings Rik's life blossomed into a profound career of travel, music, and celebrity.

Rik grew up in Boston, Massachusetts with siblings Fred, Eugene and Evelyn. He began working from an early age, from "getting scrap" to caddying. On one of his grocery routes, "Little Richie" was approached by a gentleman asking to put campaign tickets into his wagon. That man was future president John F. Kennedy.

Everything changed when Rik discovered his brother Fred's "off-limits" drum set in the attic. From then on Rik lived and breathed music, starting several bands and orchestras and booking gigs wherever he could. His innate talent and love for music brought him to study at Berklee College of Music (then Schillinger House) and perform at Boston's Hi-Hat, the Savoy, Storyville and countless other venues. Rik performed as House Singer at New York's famed Copacabana. At Grossinger's Resort in the Catskills, he replaced singer Eddie Fisher and introduced Jerry Lewis, comedian Georgie Jessel, Myron Cohen, and Dean Martin among countless others. Rik fondly remembered ice skating with Doris Day there.

Rik met his future wife, Claire Lorraine Babcock, by accident after dialing a wrong number in 1961. Though their backgrounds could not have been more different, their bond was instant and enduring. Rik and Claire married in 1962 and soon after had four children: Claire, Lisa, Richard, and Laurel.

Rik often said that "everything in my life happened by accident," though it was his natural charisma that so often turned chance into opportunity. After a 1959 performance at Miami's Fontainebleau, Rik was invited to perform in Cuba by heavyweight champion Joe Lewis. There he met Fidel Castro, Ernest Hemingway, Che Guevara and many others.

Rik enjoyed a close personal and professional friendship with Don Costa, the renowned arranger/composer behind many of Frank Sinatra's most celebrated songs. Their relationship began by chance while Rik was getting a haircut at John Costa's barbershop. Noticing the smell of oil paint, Rik was led into John's studio where photographs of famous stars lined the walls. When John casually mentioned that his brother "worked with these people," Rik was astonished to learn they were speaking of the famed Don Costa himself. What began as an unexpected meeting grew into years of musical collaboration, and together Rik and Don opened a publishing company. Theirs was a friendship Rik spoke of with particular fondness.

Rik famously opened his home and studio to Aerosmith and recorded Grammy Award winning albums "Pump" and later "Get a Grip."

Above all, Rik was most honored to have recorded Pope John Paul II during his historic 1979 visit to Boston, what had been called the largest on-location live recording in history.

Rik's authenticity and universal respect drew fame for decades. Among the dozens of respected names in his Rolodex could be found Bob Hope, George Burns, Don Costa, Tom Jones, Henny Youngman, Betty Hutton, Dan Aykroyd- Rik embraced them and so many more as friends, and they embraced him in return.

Through it all Rik lived his life with humility. He will be remembered for his thoughtfulness and humor, his strong sense of self and family, and his quiet determination toward a strong future. In lieu of flowers, Rik would appreciate your remembering him by planting a tree.

The Public is invited to attend Funeral Services on Friday, January 9th at Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 10 Summer Street, Cohasset MA. The burial will be private. Rik is remembered by his loving wife Claire Babcock Tinory of Cohasset, his children Claire Cardelle of Cohasset, Lisa Shotwell of Essex, Richard Tinory Jr. of Cohasset, Laurel Pemberton of Osterville, his seven grandchildren, and his great granddaughter.