Richard L. Tower, 81 of Abington, MA died Friday January 6, 2017 at South Shore Hospital after a long illness. He was the beloved husband of Nancy (Belcher) Tower for 53 years.
He was born in Medford, MA on May 3, 1935 to the late Lawrence A. and Ellen (Nickerson) Tower. He moved to West Abington on Pearl Harbor Day, December 7, 1941. He attended Abington schools graduating in 1953.
After graduation he attended Bentley School of Accounting and Quincy College. He served 3 years in the Army and in 1961 he joined the Abington Police Department where he served for 32 years retiring as Chief of Police. He was a member of the Massachusetts Police Chiefs Association and the Massachusetts Police Association. During his law enforcement career he served as a detective, sergeant and town prosecutor.
Richard started a tax practice before joining the police department and after his retirement he rebuilt that practice having many clients. He was an avid gardener with a huge vegetable garden and he loved supplying his friends and neighbors with fresh vegetables. In his later years he enjoyed golfing achieving a Hole in One.
He was the loving father of Mary Ellen Stanghellini and her partner Christopher Cataloni of Halifax and Kathi Paige and her husband Steven of Abington. He was also the loving and proud grandfather of Geoffrey and Alexander Paige of Abington. He also leaves a sister Lorraine Celino of Idaho and 2 nephews and 1 niece.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday January 11th at 11:00AM in the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth St (Rte. 58 at the rotary circle) Whitman. Burial will follow in the Hanover Center Cemetery, Hanover. Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, January 10th from 3:00-7:00PM.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Richard’s name to Copsforkidswithcancer.org on their website or mailed to CFKWC, c/o Canton Police Dept., 1492 Washington Street, Canton, MA. 02021