Cape & Islands News

Richard Warren 72, Cape Cod icon laid to rest

This was the scene of the funeral today for Richard Warren the longtime owner of the nationally famous Four Seas Ice Cream store in Centerville. Mr. Warren was 72 and he died in a skiing accident this week.

The service was held at the Federated Church Of Hyannis, on Main Street across from the Cape Cod Times office.

The Sheriff's Department and Barnstable Police department had a large contingent, in addition to dozens of friends and family.

His favorite golf clubs preceded his casket carried by family members and friends.

Photos courtesy of a longtime friend of the deceased,  Frank Paparo.

Richard Warren's obituary:

Richard R. "Dick" Warren, 72, ice cream entrepreneur, teacher, guidance counselor, author and friend to all, died unexpectedly Jan. 12, 2008, in Bartlett, N.H., from injuries sustained in a ski accident.

A resident of Centerville and Sarasota, Fla., Mr. Warren was born, raised and educated in Saugus. He graduated from Boston University School of Education in 1957, where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, and received a master's degree in administration and guidance in 1961 from Bridgewater State College.

Mr. Warren began his teaching career in Reading and spent most of his career at Barnstable High School, where he taught English and public speaking for 15 years, and served as a guidance counselor for 15 years before retiring in 1988. He also founded the school's speech and debate program, and in 2001 he was inducted into the Massachusetts Forensic League Hall of Fame.

In 1960, he purchased Four Seas Ice Cream in Centerville, now the third oldest ice cream store in New England and rated one of the best in the country. The store was featured in a PBS documentary "An Ice Cream Show," USA Today "Ten Best Ice Creams in America," and Gourmet Magazine's "Best Ice Cream in the Northeast," and many other publications. Mr. Warren was affectionately known as "Chief" by his employees, who became part of his extended family. He hosted an annual ski weekend for employees during the off-season and traveled around the country visiting his employees at their colleges to reinforce the tight-knit culture and exemplary student workforce for which Four Seas is known.

In 2002, Mr. Warren passed on the business to his son and daughter-in-law, Douglas and Peggy Warren, but remained involved in the business until his death. He collected ice cream memorabilia, served on the board of the New England Ice Cream and Restaurant Association and was a current director of the National Ice Cream Retailers Association.

He wrote "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Homemade Ice Cream" and co-founded Successful Ice Cream Retailing, a seminar on ice cream entrepreneurship at Penn State, the University of Guelph and now at the University of Florida.

Mr. Warren was a former president of the Centerville Board of Trade, president of the Cape and Islands Guidance Association and on the board of deacon's, chairman of the board of religious education of the Federated Church of Hyannis, and served on the board of the Mid-Cape Jaycees. He was chosen by the Jaycees as one of the four most outstanding young men in Massachusetts in the 1960s. He was a Master Mason and adviser to the local DeMolay and Rainbow Girls organizations and was actively involved in the local Junior Miss program. He served as master of ceremonies at a number of Saugus High School reunions and chaired his 50th reunion at Boston University.

A former wrestler and football player, he became an avid skier, golfer, kayaker and swimmer as an adult. His daily summer ritual included a swim at Craigville Beach. After his retirement, he spent the fall and spring in Florida, returning to ski in New Hampshire with friends in the Waterville Valley Silver Streaks, with family in Vermont or exploring new mountains.

He was most proud, however, of his successful quest to ski or mountain bike every rail bed in New Hampshire. In his 60s, he tried bungee-jumping, skydiving and helicopter skiing with his stepchildren and took up roller blading. He was a current member of Palm Aire Country Club and the Cummaquid Golf Club for more than 40 years.

He was an avid Red Sox, New England Patriots and sports fan.

Mr. Warren is survived by his wife of 24 years, Linda (Sinclair) Warren; a sister, Francene Smith and her husband Ralph of Needham; two children, Janice Warren and her husband Stephen Shriner of Brattleboro, Vt., and Douglas Warren and his wife Peggy of Hyannis; two stepchildren, Jennifer Dalrymple and her husband Rich of Centerville, and Michael Joyal and his wife Kathy Gadarowski of Dover, N.H.; and two nieces. He also leaves eight beloved grandchildren, Lindsey, Eliza, Paige, Joshua, Heather, Evan, Hannah and Meah.

He was predeceased by his son, Randall Mark Warren, and his parents, Harold and Gladys (Hartsorn) Warren.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., at the John-Lawrence Funeral Home, 3778 Route 28, Marstons Mills, MA 02648. A funeral service will be held Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008, at 11 a.m., at the Federated Church of Hyannis, 320 Main St., Hyannis, MA 02601. Burial will follow at Beechwood Cemetery in Centerville.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Warren's name can be made to the Randall Mark Warren Scholarship Fund, c/o TD Banknorth, 1708 Route 28, Centerville, MA 02632. Published in the Cape Cod Times on 1/15/2008.