In Memoriam : Benjamin Richards
Benjamin James Richards - age: 95
(July 16, 1916 to January 26, 2012 ) Resident of Norwalk, Connecticut Visitation Information: A private interment is planned, after which a memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at St. Jerome Church, 23 Half Mile Road, Norwalk, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The Norwalk Hospital Foundation or the charity of your choice. Obituary: Benjamin James (“Jim”) Richards WWII Veteran Lieutenant US Navy 58-year resident of Norwalk Jim Richards of Norwalk passed away peacefully at Norwalk Hospital on Thursday, January 26, 2012, at the age of 95. He was born July 16, 1916, in Kansas City, MO. He was predeceased by his parents, Benjamin Jules Richards and Amelia Lowe Richards. When he was four years old, his family moved to California and he spent most of his youth in the San Francisco Bay area. Jim is survived by his sister, Virginia Milleman, of Lake City, FL, and her children, Ronald Milleman of Springtown, TX, Charles Milleman, Jr. of Ocala, FL, Nancy Richards of Ocala, FL, and Judy Norsworthy and her husband, Jerry, of Fort White, FL. Jim was predeceased by his loving wife, Kathryn Bennett, of fifty years and is survived by his children, Cynthia Woodward and her husband, David, of Norwalk, CT; Christine Roper and her husband, Herb, of Galveston, TX; and Stephen Richards and his wife, Erin, of North Stonington, CT. He is survived by his loving grandchildren Jennifer Bauman and her husband, John, of Essex, CT; David Woodward, Jr. and his wife, Debra, of Fairfield, CT; Robert O’Shea and his wife, Holly, of Tomball, TX; Dr. Brian O’Shea and his wife, Wendy, of Springfield, NH; Hannah Richards of Norwalk, CT; Sophie Richards of New Haven, CT; Dina Bagues of Huntington Beach, CA; Chelsea Green and her husband, Tyler, of The Woodlands, TX; Shanna Lohr and her husband, Rick, of The Woodlands, TX. Jim was also blessed with ten great grandchildren: Emma, Keegan, Westley, Colin, Molly, Madison, McKinley, Ava, Davis and Meagan. Jim is survived by his devoted and very loving wife, Mary Newman Richards, whom he married in 1997, and his loving stepchildren, J. Robert Newman Jr. of West Chester, PA, and his wife, Theresa, and children Jack, Haley and Grace; James Newman and Karen Fiorito of New Canaan, CT, and children Devin, James, Daniel Newman and John Fiorito; Edward Newman and his wife, Robin, of Phoenixville, PA, and their children Kelley, Edward, Mary and Robert; Christopher Newman and his wife, Susan, of Timonium, MD, and their children Natalie and Nicole; Maura Perrottelli and her husband, John, of Norwalk, CT, and their children Jay and Kevin Garrish and Samantha Perrottelli; Craig Newman and his wife, Tamara, of Louisville, KY, and daughter Andrea. Jim graduated from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio in the class of 1938, where he was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December, 1941, and attended Notre Dame University and Northwestern University for officers’ training. Upon graduation as an Ensign, he was sent to the Aircraft Carrier USS Saratoga (CV3), when the ship was operating in the South Pacific in the Battle of Guadalcanal, and was assigned the duty of Navigation Officer. During World War II, The USS Saratoga (CV3) was actively involved in battles in the South Pacific and received the Presidential Citation. Other than being hit by torpedoes on two occasions, the ship remained relatively unscathed until the Battle of Iwo Jima in February, 1945, where the ship was severely damaged by Japanese Kamikaze suicide aircraft. The ship’s crew sustained heavy loss of life, but the ship remained afloat and returned to the United States for repairs. Jim remained aboard the Saratoga in the South Pacific until the end of the war when he was honorably discharged in 1947. He had attained the rank of Lieutenant at the time of his discharge. Although proud of his service, he was thrilled to arrive home at the end of the war and to see the Golden Gate Bridge as they approached the San Francisco Bay. Jim then went to work for Radio Station KFRC in San Francisco. He later joined John Blair & Co. (Radio & TV Station National Representative) and was transferred to the New York City Headquarters where he remained with John Blair & Co. for twenty-five years until his retirement in 1974. Jim began a second career when, in 1977, he obtained his Connecticut Real Estate License and joined William Pitt Real Estate Co. in Norwalk, until his retirement in March, 2010. He was very active on the Norwalk Board of Realtors as a Director, serving as Chairman of the Professional Standards & Ethics Committee. He was twice selected by his peers as Realtor of the Year and was a top producer at William Pitt Real Estate. Jim was a very active member of Shorehaven Golf Club. He served as Club President for two years and on the Board of Directors for four years. Jim loved to play golf. He enjoyed the camaraderie and competition. Jim had a quick wit, a keen sense of humor and enjoyed telling stories. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. A private interment is planned, after which a memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at St. Jerome Church, 23 Half Mile Road, Norwalk, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The Norwalk Hospital Foundation or the charity of your choice. |
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Nancy Richards - January 29, 2012  Contact this person
To my Uncle Jimmy....you will be sorely missed. I loved your outlook on life. You are someone I will always try to emulate. Laughter and love..always. Also my Mom, Virginia Milleman, had a best friend and confident in her only brother. I always loved hearing their conversations. They were two peas in a pod. I laughed 'till I cried at the stories that my Uncle told of his childhood with Mom.....My favorite being the "bicycle in the tree"...and how "Poddy" (our Grandfather and Uncle Jimmy's and Mom's Dad)...so cleverly taught both of them! I will dearly miss my best and favorite Uncle. Mostly, I will cherish the hours we have all spent together.. laughing our "arses" off! Love to Mary (Uncle Jimmy always said "she's so purdy" ) my cousins Steve, Cindy and Chris.....Jennifer, Emma, Woody and Debra...Love you all....Please let me hear from you....if you have time.
Your cousin,
Nancy
Lester Brooks - February 1, 2012 Contact this person
Chris, Cindy and Steve,
I was so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. After reading the obit in our local paper I realized that I never knew your Dad had accomplished so much in this life time.
I really liked your Dad, he was always very good to me. I remember many times spent at your home when we were growing up and how your Dad used to make us laugh by wiggling his ears, and how your Mom always said to us "take off your shoes" and then we headed off to play with the HO trains.
I have many fond memories and will remember your Dad and Mom always. And "eek" I will always remember playing golf, throwing around the football, sled riding and spending time at Shorehaven with you.
Best regards, Buzz
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