Stuart L. Richardson, 78, of Marion, passed away on August 1, 2013 at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford. He was the beloved husband of Mary (Schlue) Richardson during their 49 years of marriage.
Born in Glen Cove, NY, he grew up in Manhasset, NY and was the son of the late William & Beatrice (Hazen) Richardson. He graduated from Westminster School in Simsbury, CT and Cornell University. After serving in the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps., he earned a graduate degree at Purdue University where he met his wife Mary. Over a 35 year business career, Stuart held executive positions with several national corporations, and Aerovox in New Bedford, prior to founding Richardson Associates.
Stuart, Mary, and their three children moved to Marion in 1979, and he quickly became involved in the community. He was an active member of St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, serving two terms on the Vestry, one as Junior Warden. He also chaired the Stewardship Campaign and was a lector and chalice bearer. As a volunteer for the United Way of Greater New Bedford, Stuart chaired two annual campaigns, then served as Board Chair and later as an honorary board member. He was Chairman of the Marion Housing Committee for six years and developed the Affordable Housing Plan for the Town of Marion. For over thirty years, Stuart was a strong supporter of the Baptist Haiti Mission, sponsoring three children annually. He loved his community and worked hard to serve it well.
As an avid tennis player, Stuart was a member of both the Sippican Tennis Club, where he was a former board member, and the Marion Indoor Tennis Club.
Stuart was known for his unfailing optimism, his love of people, and his effort to instill in his children the values he held dear. He had a warm smile and friendly greeting for all.
Stuart is survived by his wife; son, Mark Richardson and wife Melissa of San Francisco, CA, daughters, Kristin Leahy and husband Christopher of Falls Church, VA and Katie Loughney and husband Mark of Arlington, VA; sister, Gail Pyndus of LaGrange, IL; and seven grandchildren: Madeleine and Kate Richardson, Katherine and John Leahy, and Lilly, Finn, and Delaney Loughney. He was predeceased by his brother Geoffrey.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2013 at 2:00 PM at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, 124 Front Street, Marion, MA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 545, Marion, MA 02738, or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Mass. Chapter, 220 N. Main St., Suite 104, Natick, MA 01760 or at www.cff.org. Arrangements by Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, Wareham. For directions and on-line guestbook visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com.