MACHIAS and LUBEC – Donald P. Richardson, 77, died peacefully Dec. 10, 2009, surrounded by his loving family after a valiant battle with cancer. Don was born Feb. 5, 1932, in Lubec, son of Paul T. and Virginia (Dodge) Richardson. Don graduated from Lubec High School, Class of 1950, and attended Washington State Normal School – University of Maine at Machias. A modern-day St. Francis of Assisi, Don loved the outdoors and nature. His family loved watching him feed the birds from his hand and calling his deer to the backyard by clanging on a metal bucket full of apples he had cut up for them. A true “Downeaster,” Don supported his family by working in the woods, clamming, tipping and other seasonal jobs. Don was a loving and devoted husband, father, brother and grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Eleanor “Hidy” Richardson; and a proud father to his six children: his daughters, Judy Newman and husband, Dana, of West Bath and Terry Murphy and husband, James, of Lubec, and four sons, Ralph and his wife, Evelyn, of Rancho Cordova, Calif., David and his wife, Kathy, of Dedham, Mark and his wife, Christiane, of Berlin, Germany, and Steven and his wife, Barbara, of Machias; sister, Cynthia Vickers and her husband, Rusty, of Odessa, Texas; and brother, Ralph and his wife, Janet, of Cutler. He also leaves a very special sister-in-law, Eva Parker of Buxton. Don was a proud “Gramp” to his seven granddaughters, Melanie Moll, Kara Murphy, Nicole Threadgill, Danielle, Katheryn, Allison, Paige and Miranda Richardson; four grandsons, Michael Newman, Bryan Murphy, Andrew and Joshua Richardson; and two great-grandchildren, Emma and Benjamin Moll. Don looked forward to his third great-grandchild expected in April. A private man and “never wanting to put anyone out,” it is Don’s request that there be no services. The family will gather at a later date for a private farewell. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations in Don’s memory be made to Maine Coast Memorial Hospital, Palliative Care Suite, 50 Union St., Ellsworth, ME 04650. A service of Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home, Machias. www.bragdonkelley.com
DONALD P. RICHARDSON
