Richard Paul Sparks

Richard Paul Sparks, 75, of Hudson, MA, passed away unexpectedly, on Monday, December 26, 2022, at UMass Medical Center in Worcester, with his loving family by his side. He leaves behind his beloved wife of almost 54 years, Mary Lee Gaetani.

Richard was born in Pittsfield, MA, on March 7, 1947, one of three children of the late Robert E. and Helen H. (McGowan) Sparks. He was raised in Pittsfield, where he graduated from Saint Joseph Central High School and subsequently enlisted in the United States Army, honorably serving his country during the Vietnam War, from 1969 until 1973. Richard earned his bachelor's degree from Saint Michael’s College in Vermont and had a long and successful career working as a planning manager for several defense contracting companies such as G.E., Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. During his career, he and his family lived around the country in several states, including Vermont, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Florida, Texas, Colorado and Wisconsin, as well as abroad in Germany. He has resided in Hudson for the past six years.

Richard was a very intelligent person and had an uncanny ability to retain information and facts, which included a vast knowledge of sports. He was an avid reader and enjoyed working on word and number puzzles, as well as keeping up with current world events and politics. Despite a busy career, Richard always kept his family first and spent his free time gardening and working together at home with his wife, Mary Lee.

In addition to his beloved wife Mary Lee Gaetani, he is also survived by his three children, Carrie E. Cassidy of Seattle, WA, Nicole M. Sparks of Waltham, MA, and Paul C. Sparks and his spouse Kathryn of Milwaukee, WI; two siblings, Nancy Lay and her husband Steven of Virginia and David Sparks and his spouse Marie of Florida, and four grandchildren, Liam Boettcher, Clara Boettcher, Sam Sparks and Ben Sparks.

Services will be held at a later date. Tighe Hamilton Regional Funeral Home is honored to be assisting with Richard’s arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692; https://www.heart.org/en/