Wilfred F. Richards

Wilfred F. Richards Orange – Wilfred F. “Poncho” Richards, 82, of 50 Red Brook Lane died Saturday evening August 9, 2014 at the Quabbin Valley Healthcare.      Wilfred was born in Orange, MA, September 23, 1931, the son of the late Francis L. and Marion Theresa (Detour)Richards.   He attended Orange schools, graduating from Orange High School in 1949.  He was a member of the Orange Alumni Association and served as president in 1999.  He enjoyed being a member of the Orange Historical Society, the Jumptown Twirlers, past president and member of St. Vincent DePaul, past committee member of the Athol Boy Scouts, Troop 172.      Wilfred worked at the Minute Tapioca and Adell Corporations in Orange.  He spent 30 years with the custodial staff and as a mailman at L.S. Starrett Company in Athol where he was a member of the 25 year club.  He loved his work and passed on a strong work ethic to his children.  Wilfred also spent 22 years as the sexton of St. Mary’s Church in Orange where he served as an altar server for five years and a church usher for 45 years.  He was a life member and past grand knight of the Orange Knights of Columbus, Council #2135 and a life member of the Athol Knights of Columbus, Council #182.      Wilfred enjoyed going to the Maine beaches and meeting as many people as he could.  He was a long-standing fan of the Dodgers baseball team.         Wilfred leaves his wife of 34 years, Maida G. (Deming) Richards as well as his children David R. Richards and his wife Carol of Richmond, ME, William J. Richards and his wife Denise of Hemet, CA, John F. Richards and his wife Eileen of Hacienda Heights, CA and daughter Jeannette McIntosh and her husband James of Orange.   He also leaves a brother-in-law Edward McGrath of Millbury, MA and a sister-in-law Joan Marengo of Woonsocket, RI; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.  He was predeceased by his first wife Evelyn K. Leonard Richards and his sister Shirley F. Vaughn, brother-in-laws John Killay, Vernon Vaughn, Donald Marengo, a sister-in-law Marion McGrath and his twin sister, Anne Killay.      A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2014 at 10:00 A.M.at St. Mary’s Church, 19 Congress Street, Orange with the Rev. Fr. Jose Berudez, pastor officiating with burial following at South Cemetery (those attending the Mass are asked to go directly to church).  Calling hours will be Friday, August 15, 2014 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main St., Athol.  Members of the Knights of Columbus will conduct a service Friday at 6:45 p.m. The family suggests that donations may be made in Wilfred’s name to St. Mary’s Building Fund, 19 Congress Street, Orange, MA 01364 or to the Orange Little League, P.O. Box 339, Orange, MA  01364.  For further information or to share a memory with the family go to: www.higginsoconnorfuneralhome.com. $(document).ready(function(){ });