Richard
Richard F. Pope
d. March 15, 2011
Brookfield, MA/Hudson, MA
Richard F. Pope, 76, of Brookfield, formerly of Hudson, died on Tuesday, March 15th at UMASS Memorial Healthcare, University Campus in Worcester. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Carolyn (O'Neil) Pope of Brookfield. Happily married for 49 years, Richard and Carolyn would have celebrated their Golden Anniversary in April.
Born in Marlboro and raised in Hudson, son of the late Daniel and Catherine (Lanigan) Pope, he attended local schools and was a 1954 graduate of Hudson High School where he was a star athlete, lettering in both basketball and football. He was a Korean War veteran serving as a Gunner's Mate for 4 years as a proud member of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Richard was a Police Officer with the Hudson Police Dept. for 31 years. Upon entering the force, he served first as a patrolman where he walked the beat. This soon was followed by years on cruiser duty, and finally to his position as Meter Officer. He not only enforced the law, but brought his good natured personality to the Main Street. He gave each meter a special name, but "Susie" was his favorite! It was a common sight to see him at Christmas time blowing his whistle to the tune of "Jingle Bells" while directing traffic. It was this sense of humor and easy laugh that brought a smile to the citizens of Hudson.
Richard was a member of the former Knights of Columbus in Hudson, a member of the Hudson Elks, Hudson Police Association and Massachusetts Police Association.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Laura (Pope) Sweeney and her husband Robert and three grandsons, Collin, Owen and Daniel Sweeney, all of Oakham. He is also survived by his sister, Nancy (Pope) McDonald of Hudson; his niece, Matykate McDonald of Worcester and nephew, Shawn McDonald of York, Maine. He was predeceased by his son, Stephen Pope in 2008 and was the brother of the late Daniel F. Pope and Arlene (Pope) Gird.
Richard will be remembered as a loving and generous man who was always thinking of his family. He was friendly and could strike up a conversation with anyone. He was a loving grandfather who took great joy in wathching his grandsons excel in basketball, baseball and football. His favorite advice to them was "Use your head". His presence at these sporting events will be sorely missed.
A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, March 19th at 9:00 a.m. in Saint Michael's Church, 21 Manning Street, Hudson. Burial will follow in Saint Michael's Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Friday, March 18th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Tighe-Hamilton Funeral Home, Inc. 50 Central Street, Hudson, MA 01749.
Richard F. Pope, 76, of Brookfield, formerly of Hudson, died on Tuesday, March 15th at UMASS Memorial Healthcare, University Campus in Worcester. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Carolyn (O'Neil) Pope of Brookfield. Happily married for 49 years, Richard and Carolyn would have celebrated their Golden Anniversary in April.
Born in Marlboro and raised in Hudson, son of the late Daniel and Catherine (Lanigan) Pope, he attended local schools and was a 1954 graduate of Hudson High School where he was a star athlete, lettering in both basketball and football. He was a Korean War veteran serving as a Gunner's Mate for 4 years as a proud member of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Richard was a Police Officer with the Hudson Police Dept. for 31 years. Upon entering the force, he served first as a patrolman where he walked the beat. This soon was followed by years on cruiser duty, and finally to his position as Meter Officer. He not only enforced the law, but brought his good natured personality to the Main Street. He gave each meter a special name, but "Susie" was his favorite! It was a common sight to see him at Christmas time blowing his whistle to the tune of "Jingle Bells" while directing traffic. It was this sense of humor and easy laugh that brought a smile to the citizens of Hudson.
Richard was a member of the former Knights of Columbus in Hudson, a member of the Hudson Elks, Hudson Police Association and Massachusetts Police Association.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Laura (Pope) Sweeney and her husband Robert and three grandsons, Collin, Owen and Daniel Sweeney, all of Oakham. He is also survived by his sister, Nancy (Pope) McDonald of Hudson; his niece, Matykate McDonald of Worcester and nephew, Shawn McDonald of York, Maine. He was predeceased by his son, Stephen Pope in 2008 and was the brother of the late Daniel F. Pope and Arlene (Pope) Gird.
Richard will be remembered as a loving and generous man who was always thinking of his family. He was friendly and could strike up a conversation with anyone. He was a loving grandfather who took great joy in wathching his grandsons excel in basketball, baseball and football. His favorite advice to them was "Use your head". His presence at these sporting events will be sorely missed.
A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, March 19th at 9:00 a.m. in Saint Michael's Church, 21 Manning Street, Hudson. Burial will follow in Saint Michael's Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Friday, March 18th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Tighe-Hamilton Funeral Home, Inc. 50 Central Street, Hudson, MA 01749.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard F. Pope, please visit our flower store.