A celebration of life for Richard Rowell Jr., the 18-year-old New London resident who died after an October 14 shooting, is scheduled for Thursday, October 22, at Walk of Faith Word Center in Groton.
According to the celebration-of-life flyer supplied to Eastern CT News with permission to publish, calling hours begin at 5:30 p.m. and the celebration service begins at 6 p.m. The venue is at 20 Grove Avenue. The church’s official website confirms that address.
The announcement remembers Rowell by his nickname, “BooBoo,” and the words “Forever 18.” It features portraits of him, including a photograph in a green graduation cap and gown. The complete flyer is attached to the Events listing and linked below.
In an October 15 interview with WTNH, Rowell’s father, Richard Rowell Sr., remembered his son’s smile and his ability to put others at ease. “He had the brightest smile,” he told the station. WTNH also reported that Project Longevity was offering support and services to the family.
New London police said Rowell was found wounded inside a vehicle in a Garfield Avenue parking lot on October 14 and later died at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital. That background was reported by WFSB, citing Police Chief Brian Wright. The celebration announcement provides service arrangements; it does not announce a new investigative finding.
The flyer does not list an ending time, registration requirement or admission charge. It also does not state burial arrangements or donation instructions. Readers can open the full announcement below for the published service details.