James H. Richards, age 89, of Seabrook, NH, passed away peacefully, April 8th, at the Exeter Hospital following a brief illness. He was the beloved husband of the late Margaret I. Richards. Born in Wilmington he was one of eight children of the late Albert and Mary (LeClair) Richards.
James was raised and educated in Wilmington where he attended Wilmington schools. He was a proud U.S. Navy Veteran of WWII. He enlisted in the Navy in June of 1942, and honorably served until his discharge from active duty in February of 1946. On December 20, 1944, he married the love of his life, Margaret I. Chase, in a ceremony held in St. Thomas Church and together they have been inseparable ever since. They lived in Wilmington for many years and in the early seventies moved to Seabrook, NH. James was a retired truck driver working for 54 years prior to his retirement and was a member of the Teamsters Union local 25. He enjoyed spending many winters at his home in Haines City, FL. In his leisure time he enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and camping with friends and family. Always keeping busy he also enjoyed wood working and carpentry. But nothing gave him more joy than to be with his family and especially his grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
James was the devoted father of Barbara Schiappa and her husband Michael of Seabrook, NH, James Richards Jr. of Haverhill, and the late Janice Fratus. He was the loving grandfather of 8 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren. He was the brother of Doris Downs of Tewksbury, Gertrude Greeley of Waltham, Alice Lehman of Charleston, SC, Irene Murphy of Woburn, the late Albert, William and John Richards.
Funeral Services will be held from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 374 Main St. Wilmington, Tuesday, April 15th, at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 126 Middlesex Ave, Wilmington, at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours at the Funeral Home will be held on Monday from 4 thru 8 p.m. Services will conclude with burial at Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington. It has been requested that in lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Outreach Program c/o Sr. Doris, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Parish, 289 Lafayette Rd., Hampton, NH 03842.