Remembering Richard

Ten years ago, Richard Tann, Inno Sotto, my husband Roland and I threw coins into the Fontana de Trevi in Rome with a solemn promise to come back together after we’ve been granted our wishes. And it breaks my heart that it’s a promise we were not able to keep. With the sudden loss of a good friend and passionate professional, Richard Tann, Inno, my husband, and I are left with the hope that, at the very least, his sincerest wishes have become real.

Knowing what I do about Richard, he was the type of person who would make his dreams come true; rather than leave things to fate. But on the same token, I know that these wishes were never for himself; rather for the people he loved. And if the success of his partner Inno in the fashion industry and people closest to him are any indication; I’d say Richard had gotten everything he could ever hope for.

Many know Richard as a brilliant vocalist and celebrity…bringing to life moments of love and compassion through music. But it is not his cool voice or his theatrical showmanship I will remember most. It is his sincerity, emotion, and intensity that will leave a lasting impression. Because whenever he sang, he sang with heart. He echoed our joys, our pains, our triumphs, our disappointments – and captured all these emotions in beautiful renditions offered during some of our intimate gatherings with friends. The level of depth and inspiration he possessed was simply inspiring. And that for me is what will stay.

They say the only thing you can really hold on to are the memories. And Richard left many with many people – from his musical career, to the memorable Fashion Watch series, to the unforgettable Inno Sotto shows he produced, to the most talked about launches he mounted, to the opening of his new baby, the Nicotina restaurant. And in each event I saw the professional and personal aspects of Richard’s personality shine. He approached each project with indescribable gusto yet perennially took a step back to allow others to be in the limelight. He was truly all for making other people happy. It was in others that he found his joy; and so as long as they had peace, he was at peace. That level of selflessness is very rare, indeed, in this day and age.

So as he is laid to rest today, I can only presume that Richard longed for a celebration of his life rather than a mourning of his death. There will be a 10 a.m. Mass at Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park, as relatives and friends pay their last respects to Richard. Cremation will follow immediately. It will be a very private moment with only immediate family in attendance.