Richard (Dick) W. Ploss of Roslindale, passed away peacefully in his own home on December 23, 2017. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. He was 74.
Originally from Everett, Dick moved to Mission Hill while still a young boy. He attended St. Joseph’s Grammar School and English High School. A proud blue-collar man, Dick loved baseball, candlepin bowling, fishing, playing cribbage, watching the NFL, meeting with friends at American Legion Post 327, a cold Schlitz and Lucky Strikes.
He married and raised a family in Mission Hill, where he coached Little League Baseball in the spring and summer, and candlepin bowling in the fall and winter. A hard worker and always on time, Dick held your typical blue-collar jobs, truck driver, cab driver and bartender, before landing a job as a Boston School bus driver for over 35 years, retiring when he was 68.
He was the father of four children, James Ploss, Dianna Ploss, Richard Ploss, Jr., and Andrea O’Brien. Proud grandfather of six grandchildren, Vanessa Carey, Alexa Ploss, Kara Ploss, Robert O’Brien, Jr., Nathaniel O’Brien and Emma O’Brien.
Caring brother to Cheryl Mayo, Margaret (Peggy) Flaherty, Patricia Gerstel and Alfred LaPrise.
Loyal friend to Joni Nelson, John Cheevers, Bud and many others. He and his friend, Lucy, played countless hours of ‘Words with Friends’, sometimes playing 20 games with her at a time.
Richard was a quiet man who excelled at crossword puzzles, cribbage and humorous quips. His favorite meal consisted of a liverwurst & cheese sandwich, potato salad & coleslaw and a cold glass of milk or Pepsi.
Caring man to many felines friends who passed before he did: Cuddles, Baubles, Momma & Pidge. Trouble passed on December 24, 2017. Lexus and JoJo will no doubt miss him dearly.
Visiting hours at the P.E. Murray - F.J. Higgins, George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 2000 Centre St., WEST ROXBURY, Wednesday, Dec. 27th from 4 to 8 p.m. Funeral service in the funeral home Thursday at 11:30 a.m. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Interment Knollwood Memorial Park, Canton.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Richard’s memory to either of the following:
American Legion Post 440
295 California Street
Newton, MA 02458
Attention: Ken Poirier
Please write ‘Richard Ploss’ in the check memo
http://www.americanlegionpost440.org/
Boston’s Forgotten Felines
http://www.bostonsforgottenfelines.org/