Randy G. Tappin

RUTLAND/BARRE – Randall “Randy” G. Tappin, 79, passed away peacefully with his daughter by his side on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, at UMass Memorial Healthcare – University Campus after a period of declining health. He was born in Gardner, the son of Clarence W. and Dorothy (Sampson) Tappin and had lived in Barre before moving to Rutland in 1978.

He leaves his children, Jonathan Tappin of Greenville, ME, and Michelle Tappin of Worcester; his grandchildren, Molly Ann Tappin and Emma Dorothy Tappin; and good friends, Jeff Stillings, Gary Berthiaume, and Bob Puliafico.

Randy graduated from the last class at Barre High School in 1961. He worked at Verizon, formerly New England Telephone, for 37 years before retiring in 2003. He served on the Barre Fire Department as a Firefighter/EMT from 1965 to 1975 and the Rutland Fire Department from 1978 to 1989 retiring as Deputy Chief in charge of Rutland’s ambulance service. Randy was a member of the First Congregational Church of Rutland, the Rutland Sportsman’s Club, the North Brookfield Sportsman’s Club and was a life member of the NRA. He held a commercial pilot’s license, and in his leisure, he enjoyed photography and collecting guns.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Wednesday, August 10th from 9 to 11 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. Burial will follow at Rural Cemetery in Rutland. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Rutland Fire Brigade, 240 Main Street, Rutland, MA 01543. To share a memory or offer an online condolence, please visit our "Tribute Wall"