SOCHA, Richard J. Richard J. Socha, 84, of Huntington Beach, CA, and a former Newington resident, died, Monday (September 6, 2010) at Hartford Hospital after a short illness. He was born in Hartford, April 1, 1926, son of the late John and Mary (Smola) Socha. Richard will join the love of his life Valerie (Mroz) Socha who passed away in 2001 and his son Rick Socha and was also predeceased by his brothers Edward and Theodore Socha and his sister Irene Socha. Prior to his retirement, Richard was a self employed sales representative for Ernest Holmes Company and later Century Wreckers until he retired in 1989. He later along with his wife Val became owners of Huntington Beach Travel. He spent his summers in Niantic and the remainder of the year in California where he resided since 1975. He is survived by his son Jack Socha and his wife Kathy of Newington, his daughters, Joanne Mahle and her husband Rob, and Nancy Campfield and her husband Archie all of California, his brother Henry Socha of Newington, a sister, Jennie Smith of East Hartford, and a sister-in-law, Grace Heitzman of New Hampshire. Richard was a loving father and grandfather (Jodge) who will be greatly missed. He also leaves six grandchildren that made him so proud, Jim and Jennifer Socha, Amy and Keith Millen all of Wethersfield, Kristen Socha and Mike Lagana both of Rocky Hill, Kevin Mahle, Brett and Lauren Campfield all of California, seven great-grandsons, Chase, Jack Sean, Jay, Nick, Ryan and Trevor and numerous nieces and nephews. He enjoyed spending time with his family and watching his grandchildren and great grandchildren grow. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of World War II, a communicant of St. Bonaventure's Catholic Church, Huntington Beach, CA. The funeral will be Friday (September 10, 2010), 9:15 a.m. from the Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Tpke. Wethersfield, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, 10 a.m. in St. Mary's Church, 626 Wllard Ave. Newington. Visiting hours will be Thursday from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Good Shepard Cemetery, Huntington Beach, CA. To share a memory with the family, please visit, www.dillonbaxter.com.