WORTHINGTON - Alan P. Rida, 72, of Zephyrhills, Fla., passed away on July 22, 2009, at Hospice Care Center in Dade City, Fla., after a long battle with Gallium Bare Syndrome.

Alan was born in Hartford, Conn., on Dec. 8, 1936, to the late Leroy Rida and Gertrude Goetz Rida. He moved with his family to Worthington in 1942. He attended Russell H. Conwell School in Worthington and the Smith Vocational School. He was a truck driver for Henry Rabouin, Hampshire Sand and Gravel and retired from N&B Express, where he worked for more than 28 years.

Alan was a member of Teamsters Union Local 404 and the Cummington Lions Club, for which he served as president. He was also a past member of the Worthington Snowmobile Club and the Worthington Rod & Gun Club.

After retirement, Alan enjoyed traveling to Canada and up and down the East Coast. He also enjoyed bluegrass festivals and would have a get-together every September for 20 years with the many friends he had made at the festivals. He and wife Mary would spend summers in Brandon, Vt., with Rhodes and Donna Wyman and other friends.

Alan is survived by his wife, Mary, whom he married on Feb. 14, 1977. He is also survived by his children, Jeff and wife Karen of Worthington and Steven and wife Betty of Goshen; he leaves seven grandchildren, Glenn, Jessie, Andy and fiance Bridget, Ryan, Amanda, Steven and wife Kim and Cody. He leaves a sister, Ann Richardson of Easthampton, as well as several nieces and nephews. A memorial service and picnic will be held at the Rod & Gun Club in Worthington on Aug. 16, 2009. All those who knew Agnus, Amos and Isodore Murphy know how much Alan enjoyed life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cummington Lions Club, in care of John Knox, 8 Searle Road, Huntington, MA, 01050, or to the Hospice of Hernando-Pasco Inc., 3744 Clinton Ave., Dade City, FL, 33525.