Richard F. Puorro, age 88, passed away peacefully in his Franklin, Massachusetts home on Friday, March 8, 2019, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Boston, Massachusetts on March 4, 1931, he was the son of the late Thomas N. and Ida (Masiello) Puorro. He spent his early years in Boston’s North End, Jamaica Plain, and Roxbury, before his family settled in Roslindale when Richard was 11 years old.
While living in Roslindale, Richard found his passion for music, learning to play the trumpet and later joining the Roslindale High School Band. During his senior year at Roslindale High School, Richard joined the United States Naval Reserve, and would serve in the Naval Reserve for 12 more years. Upon graduating from Roslindale High School in 1949, Richard took a position as a delivery man with a fledgling company, American Fundraising Services (A.F.R.S.
) on Newbury Street in Boston. Richard met his soon to be wife, Rita M. Beckstrom, while attending a dance at Moseley’s on the Charles, although he had taken notice of her previously at the Washington Spa in Roslindale. After a whirlwind courtship of just 3 months, they eloped to Wolfeboro, New Hampshire and married each other in a private ceremony on December 16, 1952.
The young couple returned to Roslindale, where they made their home until they settled in East Walpole, Massachusetts in 1973. As a self-taught printer, Richard’s career with A.F.R.S. , which had moved to larger quarters in Waltham, MA, began to grow.
He was placed in charge of the dark room, where he was responsible for transferring photographs onto printing plates. Richard truly loved being around people and socializing, so for years he also served as the Company’s unofficial “Social Director”, organizing regular parties and events for his colleagues and friends. He went on to serve as the Printing Department Supervisor until his retirement from A.F.R.S.
in 1993. Throughout his life, Richard took great pride in the care of his yard and home on Squire Court in East Walpole, spending countless hours manicuring his lawn to golf course perfection and engaging in friendly neighborhood competitions to see who had the best yard. When he wasn’t hard at work on his pool and lawn, Richard enjoyed following all the New England Sports Teams, however, he most looked forward to the autumn months, when he could cheer for his beloved New England Patriots.
After his retirement Richard began to expand his interests. He planted a large and varied vegetable garden each year. Although always an enthusiastic eater, he began to take on more of the cooking responsibilities at home and his pizzas, stuffed mushrooms and creamy cheese eggs were always in demand.
Richard also began to test his luck playing three card poker at casinos both locally and in Las Vegas, and was so excited when he won, which he did with frequency. Richard also took up painting late in life. Completely self-taught, he particularly liked to paint nature scenes and still life and was generous in gifting his works to his loved ones.
More than anything, though, all his life Richard loved welcoming family and friends into his home – whether it be for a cup of coffee, a drink and a few laughs, or a big Bar-B-Que around the pool. Beloved husband of the late Rita Marie (Beckstrom) Puorro. Loving father of Richard F. Puorro, Jr of Wrentham, Joanne M. and her husband Joseph DiRosario of Franklin, Susan C. and her husband Richard Schenker of Hopkinton, and James M. and his wife Lynn Puorro of Wrentham.
Cherished grandfather of Michael Puorro, Dana and his wife Lorena Giannotti, Richard F. Puorro, III, Joseph Puorro, Kaitlyn Puorro, Ryan Puorro, Christopher Schenker, Christina Williams, and the late Jared Giannotti. Great grandfather of Owen Shanbar, Jamie Hawkins and Henry Hawkins. Brother of Thomas G. Puorro and his wife Eleanor of Florida.
Devoted uncle of Karen Pagliuso, Lance Puorro, Dana Puorro, and the late Thomas Puorro. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Richard’s Life Celebration on Saturday, March 16, 2019 from 10AM to 12PM, with a funeral service at 12PM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home 48 Common Street Walpole. Interment will be in Saint Francis Cemetery in Walpole.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to VNA Hospice and Palliative Care 199 Rosewood Drive, Suite 180, Danvers, MA 01923-4539.
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