1949
Neal
2015
Neal H. Richards
September 9, 1949 — November 11, 2015
Neal H. Richards, 66, a retired Trooper with the Massachusetts State Police and decorated Marine Corps Veteran, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, November 11, 2015.
He was born and raised in Worcester and attended Burncoat High School. Following high school, Neal enlisted with the United States Marines, and was a proud Veteran of the Vietnam War. He was stationed in Vietnam, serving as a crew member of a helicopter gun ship. He was awarded a Purple Heart and an Air Medal with a Bronze Star. Following his four years of service, Neal returned to Worcester and was accepted into the Massachusetts State Police, where he served for 35 years, retiring in 2009 as a member of the Truck Enforcement Team on the Massachusetts Turnpike. Neal shared his love of travel through the many special family trips and vacations, including to Niagara Falls, Disney World and the Caribbean. Neal dedicated himself to teaching his five grandchildren not only about fun places to visit, but how to enjoy the beauty all around us with camping trips that included great hikes and sharing stories around the campfire. He truly was happiest caring for and supporting his grandchildren, and could often be found cheering them on at a sports event or activity. He was truly a loving family man.
His beloved wife of 27 years, Kathleen S. (Hedtke) Richards died in 2008. Neal will be deeply missed by his two daughters, Kim M. Newsham and her fiancé, Chris Mailloux of Paxton and Lisa A. Hartigan and her fiancé, Jonathan Giddix of Cherry Valley; his five grandchildren, Matthew and Brianna Lucier, Jacob and Zachary Newsham and Owen Giddix; his mother, Grace M. (Carruthers) Richards of Worcester; his two brothers, David Richards of Auburn and John Richards of Rochdale; his three sisters, Jean Picard of Worcester, Jody Arsenault of Millbury and Judy Grady of Webster; a son-in-law, Timothy Hartigan of Worcester; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by his father, Basil C. Richards.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Neal’s family on Saturday, November 14, from 3-6 p.m. at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Veteran’s Inc. 69 Grove Street, Worcester, MA 01605 to support our needy veterans. To share a memory or leave an online condolence, please"Sign the Guestbook" on this page.
He was born and raised in Worcester and attended Burncoat High School. Following high school, Neal enlisted with the United States Marines, and was a proud Veteran of the Vietnam War. He was stationed in Vietnam, serving as a crew member of a helicopter gun ship. He was awarded a Purple Heart and an Air Medal with a Bronze Star. Following his four years of service, Neal returned to Worcester and was accepted into the Massachusetts State Police, where he served for 35 years, retiring in 2009 as a member of the Truck Enforcement Team on the Massachusetts Turnpike. Neal shared his love of travel through the many special family trips and vacations, including to Niagara Falls, Disney World and the Caribbean. Neal dedicated himself to teaching his five grandchildren not only about fun places to visit, but how to enjoy the beauty all around us with camping trips that included great hikes and sharing stories around the campfire. He truly was happiest caring for and supporting his grandchildren, and could often be found cheering them on at a sports event or activity. He was truly a loving family man.
His beloved wife of 27 years, Kathleen S. (Hedtke) Richards died in 2008. Neal will be deeply missed by his two daughters, Kim M. Newsham and her fiancé, Chris Mailloux of Paxton and Lisa A. Hartigan and her fiancé, Jonathan Giddix of Cherry Valley; his five grandchildren, Matthew and Brianna Lucier, Jacob and Zachary Newsham and Owen Giddix; his mother, Grace M. (Carruthers) Richards of Worcester; his two brothers, David Richards of Auburn and John Richards of Rochdale; his three sisters, Jean Picard of Worcester, Jody Arsenault of Millbury and Judy Grady of Webster; a son-in-law, Timothy Hartigan of Worcester; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by his father, Basil C. Richards.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Neal’s family on Saturday, November 14, from 3-6 p.m. at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Veteran’s Inc. 69 Grove Street, Worcester, MA 01605 to support our needy veterans. To share a memory or leave an online condolence, please"Sign the Guestbook" on this page.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Neal H. Richards, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 1
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors