Richard W. Maypother

STERLING - Richard W. Maypother, Jr., 48, of Glendale Avenue, passed away peacefully, surrounded by the comfort of his loving family and friends, in his home on Tuesday, October 5, 2010, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.

He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Karen M. (DeGrappo) Maypother of Sterling, formerly of Maynard; two sons, Matthew and Luke Maypother and a daughter, Abigail Maypother all of Sterling; his mother, Norma J. (Rhea) Klinkhamer and her husband David of Sterling; a brother, Michael Maypother of Templeton; a sister, Deborah Marini and her husband Anthony of Clinton; his in-laws, Fred and Ann (Haggerty) DeGrappo of Maynard; his sister-in-law, Cathy Mariani and her husband David; brothers-in-law, David DeGrappo and his wife Laurie and Steven DeGrappo and his wife Christine; and several nephews and nieces, Kate, Nicholas, Caroline, Jackson, Sophia, Kayley and Griffin. He was born and raised in Clinton the son of the late Richard W. Maypother, Sr. and lived in Sterling for 22 years.

Rick graduated from Clinton High School in 1980 and attended Worcester State College. He was a correction officer for MCI Concord for 10 years and a Firefighter and EMT for the Town of Sterling for 20 years. As a firefighter, he ran the safety program in the Sterling schools and was well known and loved as "Firefighter Rick". He was a member of St. Richard of Chichester Church and its Knights of Columbus Council 14940 in Sterling.

Rick's first priority was his family and his desire to provide and teach them was the driving force behind everything he did. He was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend. He was passionate about giving back to his community as was exemplified in his dedication to his coaching, teaching and love of family and friends. He spent much of his free time volunteering as a coach on the athletic fields in Sterling. He strived to make an impact on the lives of the children he coached and taught. Rick will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 4 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, October 10th in the Miles-Sterling Funeral Home, 100 Worcester Road (Rte. 12), Sterling. A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 11th in St. Richard of Chichester Church, 4 Bridge Street, Sterling. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery in Lancaster. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Rick may be made to The Maypother Family Support Fund, c/o Leominster Credit Union, P.O. Box 5, Sterling, MA 01564 or to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Mass, 1 Bullfinch Place, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02114.

Website & Guestbook: www.milesfuneralhome.com