Richard Allen Parker

Richard A. Parker, 89, of Taunton, passed away at his home on September 5th 2024 with his loving family by his side.

He was the beloved husband of Rosemary (“Dolly”) Parker, who passed away this past March 2024.  Born in Taunton, Richard, also known as Richie, was the son of the late Louise Morin Parker.  Richie met his future wife Rosemary at Cohannet School.  They both graduated from Taunton High School in 1954, where he played many sports, and was a star football player.  His number 81 will always be special to his family.

Richie started working at the age of eight selling newspapers at the Dog Track, working at a local grocery store, and then at Sankey’s ice cream shop, (the “Milk Bottle”), to help support his mother and family.  As a teenager he proudly bought his Mom her first set of hearing aids.  He joined the United States Army on March 3, 1953 and was stationed in Germany for two years. Richie was a Private First Class and was honorably discharged on February 28th 1961as an E-3.  He was also a member of the American Legion.

Richie and Dolly were married on February 20th 1960.  They had their first child, Lori, in 1961.  They welcomed Richard Anthony in 1962 and Donna Louise in 1964, and the family was complete.  Richie and Rosemary always put their children first. They gave them wonderful holidays and birthdays, day trips to Old Silver Beach, Plymouth, the Cape Cod Canal, Lincoln Park, and Southwick’s Wild Animal Farm.  Richie always made sure his children had a pool and a great yard to play in.

Richie was a very hard worker and always held two or three jobs to allow his wife to stay home and care for their children.  He worked at the Foxboro Company in Foxboro, Massachusetts for many years and worked every Saturday at Dermody Cleaners.  He also bartended at the Portuguese American Civic Club, where he was a life-time member.  Richie then worked for the TMLP for fourteen years as a meter-reader.  He really enjoyed being outside, walking more than ten miles a day, and befriending so many people who lived on his route.  Richie retired from the TMLP but continued to work part-time until he was 87 years old.

Richie loved all types of fishing, including salt-water fishing off of Chatham, freshwater fishing, ice-fishing, quahoging and clamming.  He made wonderful clam chowder and stuffers, and enjoyed cooking clam boils and clam bakes with his son Ricky.  Richie had a large vegetable garden and was famous for his tomatoes, which he shared with his neighbors on Jefferson street.  He landscaped his yard beautifully, planting trees, rose of Sharon bushes, and beautiful blue hydrangeas.

Richie was an amazing Grampie to his six grandchildren, Kristina, Bethany, Matthew, Ronan, Andy and Dillon.  He was thrilled to welcome his first great-grandchild Landon Parker, who was born to grandson Matthew Laranjo and his wife Ashely, last year.  He attended his grandchildren’s soccer,  football and hockey games.  His grandchildren loved Easter Egg hunts and playing on the tree swings and the homemade zipline in his yard.

Richie stayed very close to his adult children and grandchildren, and worked in their yards every chance he could get.

Richie was heartbroken when he lost Dolly this March and told his children every day that he wanted to be with his bride.  His family is happy to know that they are now together forever.

Richie is survived by his loving children; Lori Cannizzaro and her husband James of Mansfield, Richard Anthony and his late fiancé Marcia Lowe of Dighton and Donna Laranjo and her husband Arthur of Taunton, their grandchildren and great-grandchild, and many beloved nieces and nephews.  Richie was the brother of the late Marion Harwood, Madeline Ritchie, Jane Henault and Leon Parker.

Mr. Parker’s funeral will be held on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 9:30am from the Silva Funeral Home 80 Broadway (at Saint Mary’s Square) Taunton, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11am in Saint Anthony Church School Street, Taunton.

Interment with military honors will follow in Saint Joseph Cemetery.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, September 9th from 4 to 7pm in the Silva Funeral Home. Additional parking with handicap access is located on the North side of the funeral home.

For expressions of sympathy, to sign   an online guestbook or to light a memorial candle, visit www.silvafuneralhome.com