Richard J. Patterson, age 73, of Wilmington, passed away on January 26, 2015. Richard was the beloved husband for 48 years of Theresa (Sughrue) Patterson, devoted father of Beth McFadyen & her husband Jay of Tewksbury and David Patterson & his wife Mary Jane of Bedford, loving grandfather of Juliana, Kendra, Luke and Will McFadyen of Tewksbury and Michael, Joe and Kate Patterson of Bedford, cherished son of the late Frederick and Harriet (Farmer) Patterson, dear brother of the late Isabel (Patterson) Higgins and Red Higgins of Woburn. He was the brother-in-law of Joan (Sughrue) Dunlevy and the late Bill Dunlevy of Tewksbury, Mary (Sughrue) Burke and the late Tom Burke of Andover, Barbara (Sughrue) and Gerry Roper of Biglerville, Pennsylvania, Julia (Sughrue) Morris and the late Tom Morris of Miami, Florida, Claire (Pitman) and the late Dick Sughrue of Tewksbury, the late John and Janet (Kerrigan) Sughrue of Tewksbury, and Marion (Cookie) (Sughrue) and Roger Sundgaard of Acton, Maine, and he was the proud uncle of thirty six nieces and nephews. Richard was like a brother to close cousins Jan Evans, Bing Wright, Greg Clarke and childhood friend, Paul Little.
Dick was born and raised in Woburn and was a member of the North Congregational Church where he served on the Prudential Committee. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and began his career with The Gillette Company upon graduation. He enjoyed a thirty year career as an executive in the Government Markets Division at Gillette, and was offered an early retirement after a successful battle with colon cancer. During the past 20 years, Dick has served on Wilmington’s Conservation Commission, regularly traveled to favorite destinations including Aruba and Lake Tahoe, maintained a very proud 13 handicap at Reedy Meadow Golf Course and been a tireless advocate for those impacted by cancer caused by improper chemical disposal. Dick was a sports fanatic and was a New England Patriots super fan. His greatest source of pride, though, was his children and his seven grandchildren.
Family and friends will gather for a Funeral Service on Saturday, January 31st, at the Wilmington Congregational Church, 220 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington, at 10:30 a.m. Visiting hours will be held at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave., (Rt.62) Wilmington, on Friday, January 30th, from 4-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Richard Patterson Memorial Fund, North Congregational Church, 896 Main Street, Woburn, MA 01801.
Dear Terry, Beth, David and families,
Our hearts are heavy upon hearing of Richard’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. God bless.
Stan and I sen our deepest sympathies and prayers in the loss of your husband and father.
Sally and Stan
We are sorry for your sad and sudden loss. Love, hugs and prayers to you all.
Terry. June and I are very sorry to learn of Richies passing. Outstanding person, father, grandfather and neighbor. I will miss our. On erratics on the environmental issues within the Town.
Beth, we are so sorry to hear about your Dad. He left behind a legacy to be envied: Smart & successful Children and Grandchildren that brought him much joy and happiness. Our deepest condolences and much love, Loretta & Dan.
Barbara and I were sorry to hear about Dick. We will be thinking of you during this sad time.
Dear Terry, Beth and David and families
Can’t tell you how sad I feel in your loss of this great guy – so kind and gentle and loved so much.
He will be missed.
Love you – Auntie Claire
Terry, Beth, and David our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love, Dick and Leslie
Rest in peace. Life is so short and we seem to forget that.
Class of 59…………
Tom Edgett
Roswell, New Mexico
Dear Terry, Beth and David,
My prayers are with you in your sorrow. May your memories sustain you during this most difficult time.
Aunt Terry, Beth, David and families,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.
Much Love,
Jen, Brayden, Kaelyn & Madison
Dear Beth and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Blessings,
Carol, Adriana and Julia Kremer
Dear Terry, Beth, David & Families,
Our heartfelt condolences on the loss of your beloved husband and Dad. May your faith, memories, and the love that surrounds you comfort you in this time of deep sadness.
With love,
Dianne, Stephen, Lauren & Sean
Dear Beth and Family,
We are so sorry to hear about your loss. May all of the happy memories you cherish help lessen the sadness you feel today. We know that you hold his love in your hearts forever and his legacy lives on in all of you. With sincere sympathy, The Pothier Family
terry,
John, marley, and I are so sorry about dick. our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time.
love john cathy & marley
Dear Terry and Family..
We are so sorry to hear of Dick’s passing.. You are in our prayers…. I just saw Terry the other day at Lahey.. She is so wonderful…..Again, we are very sorry..
Chuck and Pam Mann
One of, if not the finest people I’ve ever known. Richie never had a bad word to say about anyone, a true and honorable man, and a great friend.
Terry, David and Beth,
On behalf of the entire Riddle family we want to express our sadness at the loss of your beloved dad and husband. I have been thinking back over our 40+ year friendship beginning when you and Dick were dating. We have had some great memories of fun times at Cape Cod and outings to celebrate many occasions. Dick was a great guy with an awesome sense of humor. He was so proud of David and Beth and their beautiful children. It was great seeing you both in September when we last visited Boston. Our prayers will be be with you and the family as you bid farewell to Dick. He is resting and at peace with the Lord. Wishing you God’s Blessings and Peace.
Terry, David and Beth,
My thoughts and prayers are with with you all. I can’t thank you enough for the happy memories your family has given me.
Doreen
From Afar. Although I haven’t Richie ofer the last 50+ years I do have great memories of us at Woburn High and North Congo. Best to the family and friends.
Please accept my sympathy and that of my family, although it has been many years since we have been in contact I have thought of you all often. I pray that the Lord will bring you comfort and peace at this sad time.
Anne Moses & Family in Yarmouth.