Rick Falconi Passed Away at 69
Richard E. Falconi, 69, a lifelong resident of Southborough, passed away peacefully Wednesday, September 9, 2015, at his home, after a short illness, surrounded by family
He was a graduate of Algonquin Regional High School and a member of the class of 1969 at Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH, serving as Senior Class President. Upon graduation, Rick stayed very active with Franklin Pierce, being one of the founding members of the Alumni Association. While on the board, he served as Membership and By-laws Chairman, Alumni and Reunion Weekend Chair and Chairman of the 50th Anniversary Committee.
Rick retired from the family’s Falconi Energy in 2011 after working as manager in the heating and cooling division. He was a fixture at the company started by his father and uncles for the better part of 50 years. He loved spending time at his home on Peabody Pond in Sebago, Maine.
Rick was a longtime auto racing enthusiast, having built and maintained cars that won hundreds of races and multiple championships throughout New England and continued to be active in the sport until his passing. He served on the board of the Southborough Historical Society and was active at their museum.
Rick is the son of the late John J. and Ann H. Falconi of Southborough. He is survived by his son Jamie and partner Allison Russell of Southborough; daughter Jesse Veves, her husband Steve and their children Evan and Olivia of Fayston, VT; his brothers Peter, David and Jimmy all of Southborough; as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his son Justin and his brother John. Calling hours are Sunday, September 13 from 2 pm to 6 pm at the Morris Funeral Home, 40 Main Street, Southborough. Funeral services on Monday will be private. Burial will be in the Southborough Rural Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Franklin Pierce University’s Annual Fund. www.franklinpierce.edu/giving/ssl/give.htm. To leave words of condolences to the family please visit morrisfuneralparlor.com
Published in MetroWest Daily News from Sept. 10 to Sept. 11, 2015
The Falconi family has been involved in the sport for five decades. Rick’s father John was a promoter at a number of local tracks and owned race cars in the 1950s driven by Joe Ross and Fred Borden. John Falconi was inducted into the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2007. The family has fielded a Late Model car for John Falconi at Thompson in recent years. Rick’s son Jamie has competed in the NEMA Lites.
The No. 10 car Falconi owned was successful in the 1960s with several drivers. Hall of Famers drove his car including the late Mario ‘Fats’ Caruso (2000 inductee), Reino Tulonen (2005), and Fred Borden (2014).
In 1962, his new driver Fred Borden led the old Brookline (NH) Speedway and 
Westboro in wins driving the Morton Welch flathead coupe. 1963 was an outstanding year; Borden claimed victories in 28 of his 32 starts.
He won his first Class a championship with Borden in 1962 at Westboro (MA) Speedway. He repeated the championship through 1967 with Fred Borden (1963, 1965-67) and Reino Tulonen (1964). Borde also won two titles at Brookline.
Fats Caruso won 2 in a row in 1964 before Tulonen drove the car. Caruso went back to the Worcester Sand No. 69 at Norwood (MA) Speedway. Joe Cast had a dominant run at Brookline.
His cars also competed at the old Bryar (NH) Motorsports Park, New London-Waterford (CT) Speedbowl, and Thompson (CT) Speedway Motorsports Park.
https://youtu.be/0RLX07IeX-o?t=21m00s
Sources: MetroWest Daily News
Fred Borden photo from NEAR1.org
Nicholas Teto/YankeeRacer.com