Edward "Bubby" F. Richards, born February 13, 1925, of Longmeadow, MA, died on Monday, May 30, at the age of 86. Eddie was born in Cohoes, NY, and raised in Springfield, MA, with his 5 brothers and 5 sisters. Eddie married Ruth Hall in 1944 while stationed in Salcombe, England, while serving in the navy during World War II. He returned to the states in 1945 and was soon joined by his wife and baby daughter, Bonita. They eventually settled in Longmeadow, and raised their family which had grown to include a second daughter, Susan. Eddie was a Longmeadow Patrolman and became badge #1. He was the first Safety Officer and one of the first EMT's in town. He also served as a Bay Path Security Officer and became Chief of Security there. Eddie became a Freemason and rose to the 32nd Scottish Rite and a proud Melha Shriner. He enjoyed the work he did for the children at the Shriner's Hospital and the donations he made to the children of St. Jude's. Edward, also known as Bubby, is survived by his loving family which includes: daughter and son-in-law, Bonita and Jack Cratty of Ellington, CT; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Gary Tina of Vernon, CT; granddaughter, Lisa Cratty of Rockaway, NJ; granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Christine and Peter Garvey of Springfield, MA; his sisters, Genevieve Teece of California and Jackie Kenny of Springfield, MA; and all his loving nieces and nephews. Family and friends will meet on Friday, June 3, at 10 a.m. for Edward's committal service with military honors at the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main St., Agawam. A public gathering for Edward will be held on Thursday from 3-7 p.m. at Forastiere Smith Funeral Home, 220 North Main St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. In lieu of flowers donations in Ed's name may be made to Shriner's Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104.
Published in The Republican on June 1, 2011

Edward Richards was the son of Aime Ritchotte and Beatrice Bassett
He married Muriel Ruth Hall in 1944 in Bristol UK (source: England & Wales Marriages Index, 1916-2005, Oct.-Nov.-Dec. 1944, p. 383, Bristol. vol. 6s, p. 7, ancestry.com)