Richard Joseph, 80, of Shrewsbury

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Obit Richard JosephShrewsbury – Dick Joseph’s life revolved around his family and his love for them will never end. His struggle with pulmonary fibrosis came to its peaceful end Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016 when he died at home. He was 80.

Richard N. Joseph was born Oct. 25, 1935, a son of the late Nash and Adele (Maykel) Joseph. Raised in Worcester, he attended Worcester Academy on a full athletic scholarship as a three star athlete and graduated in 1954. His athletic scholarship continued at Holy Cross on a full ride and it’s where he developed his well-known nickname “Lefty.” He finished his studies at Suffolk University and later earned his Jurisprudence degree from New England School of Law. Dick honorably served his country in the United States Army.

Persistence proved true for him when he met Elaine Massad at a dance at St. George’s Orthodox Cathedral and they later married Sept. 2, 1962 at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church. He had been a resident of Shrewsbury for over 53 years.

Dick was a well-known and regarded face in the Shrewsbury School System where he taught English at the middle school and chaired its language arts department. After 33 years of helping shape the minds of young kids and making a positive influence in the lives of many, he retired in 1998. While teaching he earned his Master’s in Education from Worcester State College and credits toward his PhD and also worked was Vice President and General Manager of Holden Country Club for seven years.

Retirement afforded him time to work with his son, Richie, doing landscape and yard maintenance. It also enabled him more time on the golf course, especially Oak Hill Country Club where he belonged and served on its beautification committee. Dinners were a weekly ritual with his best friend and “gumba,” Mike Revelli. In the end, all that mattered to Dick was his family and he was at its center. An 80th birthday celebration recently surrounded him with all the people he loved. It was a gift and we know that love lives on.

In earlier years, he was active with the Shrewsbury Little League and Babe Ruth League, and was responsible for instituting the Shrewsbury Senior Babe Ruth team and opened the door to the first female little league player. He served as president from 1975 – 1981. It’s an understatement to say he was an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan.

In heaven Dick joins his son-in-law, Leonard F. Tomaiolo Jr.; his brother, Robert J. Joseph; and his brother-in-law, Roger Massad.

In addition to his wife of 53 years, Elaine, he leaves his children, Richard N. “Richie” Joseph Jr. and his wife Mary Anne and Wendy A. Tomaiolo, all of Shrewbury; he was the proud papa of his grandchildren, Lindsey A. and Lacey A. Tomaiolo, Tyler T. and Richie P. Joseph; his sister, Jacqueline M. Barrett and her husband Thomas of Worcester; and his sisters-in-law, Carol A. (Samia) Joseph of Worcester and Frances Cassa and her husband Tom of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and is survived by many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Dick’s life by gathering for calling hours Tuesday, Feb. 16, from 4-8 p.m., at Heald & Chiampa Funeral Directors – The Sumner House, 5 Church Road, On the Common, Shrewsbury Center, and again Wednesday, morning before leaving in procession to Saint Mary’s Church, 640 Main St., Shrewsbury, where his funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow in Mountain View Cemetery.

Memorials in his name may be made to Richard N. Joseph Sr. Memorial Fund (to benefit his grandchildren) in c/o Shrewsbury Credit Union, 489 Boston Tpke., Shrewsbury, MA 01545.

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