BEVERLY - Philip T. Richard, 81, of Beverly, husband of Virginia “Ginger” (Nabozny) Richard, died Thursday morning, September 19, 2013 in the VA Medical Center, Bedford following a long illness.
Born and raised in Salem, he was the son of the late Edmund and Wilhelmina (Klink) Richard. Philip was a graduate of Salem High School in the class of 1950, where he played football and hockey. He then attended the Tilton School in Tilton, NH where he also played football. He later played semi-pro football in the US Army while serving in Berlin.
An Army veteran of the Korean Conflict, he served with the 6th Infantry Regiment in Europe and attained the rank of Corporal.
Mr. Richard was employed as a pipe fitter for over 35 years until his retirement in 1992, and was a member of the Pipe Fitters Union, Local 537 for 55 years, maintaining his membership in the union well beyond his retirement.
He enjoyed playing golf and tending his garden and was a “snowbird” for 16 years.
Besides his wife, Ginger, with whom he shared 22 years of marriage, he is survived by 2 sons and daughters-in-law, Philip W. and Patricia Richard , Nathan and Lisa Richard, all of Peabody, 2 step daughters and their spouses, Elayne and Richard Charron of Hamilton, Paula and Daniel McMullen of Gloucester, 2 step-sons, Ronald Jedraszek and his partner Jennifer Towler of Beverly, Mark and his wife Carolyn Jedraszek of Pelham, NH, 2 brothers, Robert Richard of Beverly, Paul Richard of Ipswich, a sister-in-law, Shirley Richard of Danvers, grandchildren, Jacquelyn, Jenna, Jordan, Janelle, Joseph and Daniel Richard, Owen, Kevin and Lindsay McMullen, Michael, Kylee and Elyce Jedraszek, and his former wife, Claire (Pelletier) Stenburg. He was the brother of the late Edmund and Arthur Richard and Elizabeth Byrne.
The family expresses their heartfelt thank you to the Hospice of North Shore, Spectrum Day Care of Beverly and the Veteran’s Hospital, Bedford for their first class care and compassion.
His funeral service will be held Monday, September 23, 2013 at 7:45 am from the Full-Spychalski Funeral Home, 84 Washington Square East, by Salem Common, Salem, followed by a funeral Mass at 9 am at the St. Richard of Chichester Church, Danvers. Visiting hours are Sunday from 4 to 7 pm. Burial is in Central Cemetery, Beverly. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Bedford VA Medical Center, Unit 62D, (for the benefit of the patients), 200 Springs Road, Bedford, MA 01730. For on-line guest book and directions, visit www.SalemFuneral.com.