Eugene "Gene" J. Richards

Eugene “Gene” J. Richards, 87, of Rutland, passed away peacefully, on Friday, December 23, 2016, at Beaumont Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Worcester. Gene is survived by the love of his life for the past sixty-three years, Patricia A. (Bucciaglia) Richards; a sister, Judith Anderson of Leicester; six nieces and nephews that he cherished as his own children, Paul Capuano, Mark Healey, Theresa Pike, Susan Gravel, Lori Caravalho, and Kelly Lainer; many grand nieces and grand nephews.  He was predeceased by a sister, Vivian Healey.  Gene was born in Worcester, son of the late Alphee E. and M. Margaret (Whalen) Richards.  He served his nation proudly in the United States Navy, during the Korean Conflict. Gene was a member of Saint Patrick Church in Rutland and loved to spend quality time with his wife and family.  He worked for nearly forty years for Heald Machine Company, before retiring in 1991. Calling Hours will be held on Tuesday, December 27, in The Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester, from 9 a.m. until his Funeral Service begins at 11 a.m.  Interment will follow in Saint John’s Cemetery, Worcester. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Rutland Food Pantry, P.O. Box 939, Rutland, MA 01543.