SALEM - Richard J. Opolski ,72, a lifelong Salem resident, passed away Saturday afternoon, August 1, 2015 at Mass General Hospital following a brief battle with cancer with his family at his side. Richard graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Lynn, MA, Northeastern University in Boston, MA and received his MBA from Suffolk University.
Mr. Opolski spent his career working as a manufacturing/industrial engineer and worked for such companies as Sylvania, Data General and Picturetel. During his career he worked in over 30 States and 6 countries but never the North Salem neighborhood he was raised in. He was also the owner and operator of a Dunkin Donuts franchise in Exeter NH from 1975-1977 and was proud to say that “…his donuts were never more than 4 hours old”.
Richard was a devoted husband, loving father and doting grandfather and is survived by his wife of 47 years Cheryl (Walsh) Opolski of Fryeburg Maine, son Matthew J. Opolski of Haverhill, MA, daughter Jennifer E. and her husband Elvis Delvillar of Derry NH and daughter Megan K. and her husband Richard Hoben of Salem MA. He leaves behind 3 grandchildren Mikhail and Penny Delvillar of Derry NH and Charlie Hoben of Salem MA. He is also survived by brothers Edward Opolski and his fiancé Liz of Hudson NH, Dr. Walter Opolski and his wife Donna of Hamilton MA and sister Dorothy Jodoin of Salem MA as well as several nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his father Walter J Opolski and mother Sophie (Stefanski) Opolski.
He was a compassionate, caring and generous man and was always ready to help out friends and family in any way he could and could always bring a smile to your face with a witty story. He was a 3rd Degree member of The Knights of Columbus Veragua #76 of Salem MA and was an avid golfer and bowler who enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He also enjoyed spending time in Maine from the first family camping trip in the early 1980’s until he purchased a home in Fryeburg Maine in 2007 which became his permanent residence in 2014.
Visiting hours will be held at the Full-Spychalski Funeral Home, 84 Washington Square East, by Salem Common Salem, on Saturday, August 8, 2015 from 10 am to Noon, followed by a funeral service at Noon. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in his memory to the Melanoma Research Fund C/O MGH Development Office 125 Nashua Street Suite 540 Boston, MA 02114 or to The Fryeburg Rescue Association, 89 Brighton Road Fryeburg , ME 04037. For on line guest book and directions, visit www.SalemFuneral.com.