The Rev. Richard Francis Van Wely

The Rev. Richard Van Wely, longtime resident of Greenwich, CT and second rector of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Greenwich, died on August 13, 2023. He was 86.

Born in Albany, NY on August 15, 1936, to Richard and Myrtle Van Wely, Richard was a graduate of Siena College. In 1962 he received a Bachelor of Sacred Theology from Berkeley Divinity School and was ordained to the Episcopal priesthood in the Diocese of Albany. He later studied biomedical ethics at Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, where he received a Master of Sacred Theology in 1972. He served as curate at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Albany; rector of Grace Church, Canton, NY; and vicar of Zion Episcopal Church, North Branford, CT and St. Andrew’s Church, Northford, CT. In 1976 he was called to St. Barnabas Church in Greenwich, where he served for 26 years until his retirement in 2002. He was a pastoral priest in every sense of the word, unequivocally devoted to his parish and parishioners and committed to helping others.

Richard is survived by his wife of 65 years, Judith Lorraine Van Wely; his daughters, Lori Samuel, Janet Labati, and Gayle Quan; his son, Christian Van Wely; three grandchildren, Nicole Rogers, Rachel Botbyl, and Maria Labati; and his sister, Carol Decker.

A memorial service to celebrate Richard’s life and ministry will be held on Friday, October 20, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Barnabas Church, 954 Lake Avenue, Greenwich, CT.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to the General Endowment Fund of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 954 Lake Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06831 or to Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, 409 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT 06511.