Richard A. Braga Sr

Hudson, MA

Richard A. Braga, Sr., 81, died at home with his family on March 6, 2009 after a period of declining health. He was the son of the late Joseph J. Braga and Nancy (Franklin) Braga. He leaves his loving wife of 55 years, Elaine (Boulette) Braga, and two sons, Hudson Police Chief Richard A. Braga, Jr. of Hudson, his wife, Zelia (Moura) and their daughter, Courtney; his son David J. Braga, his wife Deborah (Kerr) and their children, Christopher, Michael and Kathryn of Raleigh, NC. He also leaves his brothers, Joseph J. Braga and his wife, Rose Marie of Florida and his brother Robert and his wife Aida of Hudson.

Mr. Braga was born in Hudson and was a life-long resident of the community. He attended Hudson Schools and served in the United States Army during World War II as a T/5 in the Army Medical Corps. As a young adult, he was an avid horseman and he owned and showed champion show horses which earned him many blue ribbons and other awards. In the 1950's, he began his career in the shoe industry working for his uncle at Braga Shoe Company in Hudson. Mr. Braga went on to supervise and manage several shoe factories throughout the region. The US Government recognized his expertise in the industry and in 1978 he was hired as a footwear specialist and designer for Natick Labs. While employed by the Government, Mr. Braga earned many awards and citations and he had several patents recorded for his designs of military footwear.

Mr. Braga was an avid snowmobiler and enjoyed many such trips with his family and friends. After retirement, he honed his skills in the art of woodworking and he displayed and sold his wares at area craft shows. He and his wife treasured the many winter months they spent in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where they hosted friendly games of cards with old and new acquaintances. Mr. Braga loved spending time at the home of his son, David and daughter-in-law Deborah in Raleigh, NC and he liked nothing better than sitting on the deck near the lake at his son Richard and daughter-in-law Zelia's summer home in Frye Island, ME.

Mr. Braga was a member of the former Christ the King Church and is presently a parishioner at St. Michael's Church in Hudson. The Funeral will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 from the Tighe-Hamilton Funeral Home, 50 Central Street, Hudson, MA with a 9:00AM Mass at St. Michael Church, Hudson MA. Burial will follow at Forestvale Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home will be Monday, March 9, from 5PM to 8PM.

Memorial contributions may be made in Richard's name to the Hudson Senior Center, 29 Church Street, Hudson, MA 01749, or a charity of one's choice.

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