Richard Charles Taplin, 51, of Simsbury, husband of Nancy Flanagan, died following a three year battle with brain cancer on Sunday, June 12, 2016 at his home surrounded by family. He was born February 8, 1965 in Chelsea, MA, the son of Ruth MacLachlan Morgan of Newport News, VA and the late Richard John Taplin of York, ME. He grew up in Newport News, VA and graduated from James Madison University, having received a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications. He married Nancy Flanagan, of Simsbury, CT on October 2, 2009. Prior to moving to Simsbury three years ago he lived in Marshfield, MA and Los Angeles, CA while working on production teams for a number of feature films and television shows. Rick enjoyed being outdoors and loved camping, fishing, hiking and kayaking. Above and beyond all else, his greatest pleasure was spending time with family. In addition to his wife and mother, Rick is survived by his son, John “Jack” Taplin of Simsbury, his sister, Mary Elizabeth “Beth” Taplin and her husband Keith Sproat of Berry Meade, VA, Tim Morgan, husband to Rick’s mother Ruth, in-laws Carol and Thomas Flanagan of Simsbury, Katherine and Avi Shoss of Arlington, MA, Molly and Ed Larkin of Delmar, NY and Elizabeth and Patrick Forrest of Carlsbad, CA, nieces and nephews Isabelle and Sam Shoss, Tess and Patrick Larkin and Owen Forrest. He also leaves behind many other important family members including aunts, uncles, and cousins. Rick’s family would like to thank Dr. Alexandra Flowers and the Oncology Team at the Helen and Harry Gray Cancer Center at Hartford Hospital for their extraordinary and compassionate care and Hartford HealthCare at Home, Hospice Care, especially Kateri Pilon. Friends may call at the Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury on Monday, June 20th, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 21st in the Chapel at Ethel Walker School, 230 Bushy Hill Road in Simsbury. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the John M. Taplin Educational Trust, care of Thomas M. Flanagan, Trustee, Thomas M. Flanagan, P.C., 38 Woodland Street, Hartford, CT 06105. Please visit Richard’s “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online condolences.