NORTH HAVERHILL — Richard “Dick” Fabrizio cherished, and often reread, a letter he received about 35 years ago one March from a family that was returning from a vacation in the White Mountains the previous fall. They were looking for a place to pick apples, but when they arrived at Fabrizio’s Windy Ridge Orchard in North Haverhill, they were dismayed to learn the orchard was only open on weekends.

“Mr. Fabrizio, who, on hearing our disappointment, good-naturedly poked his head from out back and offered to take us out into the orchard to spend some time picking apples,” the letter said. “It was one of the brightest points of our whole week.”

The family went on to say their young son was tragically killed in an accident weeks after the visit to Windy Ridge, and several months later they finally found the strength to develop the photos of their vacation, many of which were of that day apple picking.

“That time spent in your orchard will always be one of the happiest, most precious memories we have of our son,” the family wrote. “Please remember that your one small act of kindness affected our lives beyond measure. We will never forget it.”

It was those experiences that Fabrizio’s daughter, Sheila, and grandson, Evan, heard during a memorial service in early April when about 300 people came to remember Fabrizio. Fabrizio, who began the orchard more than 55 years ago, died at home from cancer at the age of 87 on March 21.

“The orchard became a true foundation for family and friends to build memories that will last a lifetime,” Evan said at the service. “The profound impact that the orchard has had on so many lives over the years is no coincidence. It’s a warm and welcoming atmosphere, its ability to provide such a simple yet sincere escape.”

Windy Ridge became a destination because of the apples, the Cider House cafe, nature trails, playground and — not least — the welcoming and outgoing personality of Fabrizio.

“He loved visiting with people and chatting with them at the orchard,” Sheila said. “That is how everyone remembers him. His hearty laugh and sincere smile.”

The oldest of five children, Fabrizio was born in Brockton, Mass. His father moved the family frequently, his younger brother, Dan, said, because their father was a carpenter and “followed the work.” They moved to Florida during the winter months.

That experience was something her father didn’t want to repeat, Sheila said. “He wanted stability when he grew up. He really admired two uncles who owned their own businesses.”

Fabrizio was working on dairy farms at age 12. After high school in Massachusetts, he earned a degree at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, where also met his wife, Ann. They were married 63 years. Fabrizio’s first job out of college was that of a milk tester in Connecticut. After working for the Boy Scouts of America, the Fabrizios moved to North Haverhill in the mid-1960s. Two years later, they bought the property that would be transformed into the orchard.

Her father didn’t want to resurrect the property as a dairy farm and briefly considered a campground before settling on the idea of an apple orchard, Sheila said.

“That was his dream, to have his own farm,” she said.

The Fabrizios made their first plantings in the late 1960s, and today there are 18 varieties grown on about 20 acres.

Fabrizio planted the first few trees behind the family home. The first plantings didn’t make it, Sheila said, but Fabrizio was undeterred and the next year the trees survived. The orchard was born.

“From day one, he just loved it,” said Sheila, the youngest of five children. “It was what he wanted to do and he built it up slowly.

“It is not just a place to grow apples but a place for families to come to,” she added. “That is what he loved. He loved having families come and different generations. Everybody has said it meant a lot to them.”

Windy Ridge is a New Hampshire Farm of Distinction. Richard and Ann were awarded the Grafton County Conservation District’s Legacy and Stewardship Awards and Richard received the Grafton County and State Farm Bureau Profile Awards.

Evan said his grandfather made Windy Ridge more than a family business.

“The orchard for so many people, including many that never even knew Nana and Papa personally, transcended being a farm or a family business and became so much more,” said Evan in an email from his home in Tennessee. “It became a place of comfort, of simple yet such profound joy for so many.”

After Fabrizio and his wife, a school teacher, retired, Sheila said they began to make the orchard a destination. They added a petting farm, playground, nature trails and later a cafe. They transitioned from wholesale to primarily pick-your-own. The farm also grows Christmas trees.

“My father was doing something he loved. He was not getting rich but was doing something that made him happy,” Sheila said.

Many of the employees have remained at the orchard for years. “He really cared about the people who worked with him,” Sheila said. “It feels like a close family. From my perspective, it was easy to take over because he put the right people in place and they want to be part of it.”

Sam Langdon, who now lives in Maine, worked at Windy Ridge off and on between college and the National Guard for about 10 years. Fabrizio spoiled him but not in the traditional sense.

“He was such a great manager, such a great leader and such a great mentor that every job I have had since pales in comparison,” Langdon said. “He set such a standard for leadership and had an amazing work ethic. It was second to none. You did not want to show up and disappoint him when you were there. I loved it there and he was great.”

Langdon, who began working at Windy Ridge at age 15, did “whatever was needed” at the orchard.

“If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have the work ethic I have now,” Langdon said. “If you worked for Dick Fabrizio you could take that anywhere in Grafton County and get hired because they knew him.”

Evan also said he learned a strong work ethic from his grandfather as well as perseverance, taking pride in what you do and willingness to find laughter.

“He never allowed life to get in the way of him greeting someone with the warm smile that so many will remember him for and miss dearly,” Evan said.

Fabrizio served as the Grafton County Extension Center’s 4-H agent for 30 years before retiring in 1995.Fabrizio did more than the job required, organizing annual trips with 4-H kids on his own time and expense.

Bob Aldrich, who today lives in New York, joined 4-H in the mid-1960s when he was 9.

Aldrich recalled an overnight canoe trip on the Connecticut River that was delayed by a broken axle on Fabrizio’s station wagon on the drive north to Pittsburg, N.H. With alternate transportation arranged for the campers, Fabrizio had the axle repaired and joined the group later at the campsite.

“It was a perfect weekend with good weather,” Aldrich said. “Looking back, I’m grateful he did it otherwise it was an experience I never would have had. It just shows a big investment of his personal time and it was a very memorable time.”

Her father loved the outdoors and if wasn’t working outside he was playing outside, Sheila said. Hiking the White Mountains with his sons, fishing, canoeing and skiing were among his favorite pursuits. Those who joined him said Fabrizio was the ideal companion, especially if things got a little rough with the weather and black flies.

Fabrizio’s younger brother, Dan, said the 20-year age difference meant his brother was more like a “fun uncle to him.” Dan recalls coming up to North Haverhill from his home in Massachusetts and hiking, skiing and canoeing with his older brother. They canoed the Allagash River in Maine. In 1987, the brothers and some friends were dropped off by plane in the wilderness of northern Quebec on Ungava Bay and canoed the Koksoak River.

“Those were the kind of trips Dick liked,” said Dan, who now lives in Washington State. “It was hard paddling and the portage was difficult but we had fun together and laughed a lot. Dick had a great laugh and was always telling jokes.”

Patrick O’Grady can be reached at pogclmt@gmail.com.