Norman James Richardson

Norman J. Richardson age 92, of Milford, MA previously of Worcester, died on September 17, 2022, at home surrounded by family.  He was born in Quincy, MA the son of James and Nina (Creed) Richardson. He leaves his wife of 20 years, Mia Pruett; sons Jeffrey N. Richardson (Lori) of Charlton, Andrew W. Richardson (John) of Cambridge, and a daughter Martha J. Murphy (Michael) of Leicester, 5 grandchildren (Kyle and Christopher Richardson; Austin and Lauren Kowalchek, and Elizabeth Richardson), 5 great-grandchildren (Amelia, Annabelle, Gracie, Elijah, and Ezra), a sister Fay Hamre of Falmouth and a niece and several nephews. His son Bruce H. Richardson and his sister Carol Merson predeceased him. 

Norman graduated with a BA degree from Clark University and a MA degree from Harvard University, both in International Relations. After college he served as an Intelligence Analyst at HQ Company, 15^th Infantry Regiment at Fort Benning, GA.

Norman had a career in banking at Worcester County National Bank (later Shawmut Bank) for 33 years, working in its Tax and Trust Departments. He enjoyed helping clients establish and manage their estates. He took particular pride in managing the accounts of the Hoche-Scofield Foundation and the Nathaniel Wheeler Trust, two local non-profits making a positive difference in the community. Norman also served in voluntary positions on the Board of several charitable organizations – Children’s Friend, Inc., Worcester Foothills Theater, Clara Barton Diabetes Center and served as Treasurer for the Worcester Public Library during its reconstruction. 

Norman was an active member of the First Unitarian Church in Worcester serving many years as a board member and treasurer. He was also a member of the Worcester Committee on Foreign Relations and the Institute for Religion in an Age of Science (IRAS) and enjoyed attending the IRAS conferences at Star Island each summer. He was a lifelong student of the Bible and relished the many conversations shared with best friend Joseph Baratta in their common search for the historical Jesus. They avidly read and debated dozens of books that shed light on the early Christian church and its Hebrew context. In retirement he wrote 5 plays that expressed his ideas on this topic.

Norman enjoyed taking hikes and traveling with his wife Mia. When home he would “tinker” in the back yard building stone walls with precision. He was always up for a game of Risk, Monopoly, or chess with his kids and grandkids. He was very proud of his Mayflower ancestry and performed extensive research into many generations of his lineage. He did not disappoint any willing listener with a story or two from the family history. 

The family would like to thank caregivers Kim, Christine, Judy, Deb, and Alessandra who supported Norman so that he could stay at home.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 23, at 10am at the First Unitarian Church, 90 Main St. Worcester; followed by private graveside burial.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Adoption Program of the Children’s Friend affiliate of Seven Hills, 81 Hope Ave. Worcester.

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