G. Thomas Richards, Jr.
October 28, 1958 ~ September 16, 2006
After a long illness, on Sept. 16, 2006, G. Thomas Richards, Jr., 47. Survived by his loving wife Maureen Coughlin Richards of North Branford. Brother of Joyce Teshoney of NY, Deborah Richards of Coventry, CT, Karen Rolli of West Haven, Lesley Olsen of Carey, NC, Larry Richards of Stafford, VA and the late Allison Richards. Also survived by 17 nieces and nephews. Tom was born in New Haven on Oct. 28, 1958, a son of the late George T. and Joyce Corcoran Richards, Sr. He was a graduate of Syracuse University, Class of 1981, with a degree in Journalism. Tom was employed at Steven's Ford for 24 years as an Administrative Assistant. He was an avid tennis, bowling and ping pong player and loved the Boston Red Sox. Funeral Service will be held on Thurs., Sept. 21st at 10 AM at BEECHER & BENNETT-TAYLOR, 410 Campbell Ave., corner of Court St., West Haven. Friends may call at the funeral home Wed. from 5-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Allison Lynn Richards Scholarship Foundation, West Haven High School, c/o Karen Rolli, 90 Fairview Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516.
Dear Debbie, Mark, Jordan, Grant, Maureen and Richards family: We will always remember Tommy and be grateful to have known such a kind and gentle soul. We will keep you and Tom in our thoughts and prayers. Pat Calvo and Peter Huckins
Dear Maureen and family, I was terribly sad to learn of Tom’s death. I played tennis with him and got to know him in our Sunday doubles at the school courts in No. Branford. Tom was such a kind person and so encouraging. I met him and the group through Phil Guiliani, the tennis teacher I found on a bulletin board in Branford’s gerneral store, the year I lived there with my mother. I returned to NYC and kept playing with the group during the summer and fall week-ends I could get in. Then we e-mailed, and he would tell me how he was doing. The last I got was to tell me of the surgery he was going in for-and he was most upbeat. Tom clearly had a passion for life, tennis, family and people in general. I went in to play not long after his death and felt his presence. My back and feet were hurting but he was encouraging to keep on keeping on. With love, Carol Chetrick
Dear Maureen, My thoughts are with you and your family now during this difficult time. Thinking of you, Christy Kovel
Dear Maureen-My Mom and I would like to extend our sympathies to you and Tom’s family. We were very sorry to hear of your loss.
I had the pleasure of working with Tommy for 4 years at Stevens Ford. He was the nicest person and was always willing to help. I know we will all miss him very much. My deepest condolences to you and your family.
I knew Tom since our days at Syracuse U., when he was the roommate of my good friend Cliff Locke. Along with Cliff, Vin Flynn and Steve Schneider, we kept in touch over the years and got together for card games and Super Bowl parties. And we argued over baseball- because he loved the Red Sox and I have always been a Yankees fan. Those were good times and we will all miss you, Tom.
I was blessed to have worked with TR for over 10 years. His smile and sense of humor always amazed me. He was more than just an employee, he was a friend.
I WORKED WITH TOM FOR 5 YEARS AT STEVENS FORD AND EVERYTHING I KNOW NOW ABOUT THE DMV REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS I LEARNED FROM THE BEST. I STILL TO THIS DAY USE ALL THE KNOWLEDGE TOM TAUGHT ME AND WILL CONTINUE TO SMILE WHEN I THINK OF HIM DAILY.
Lesley, I just spoke to Kathi and heard about the sad news of your brothers passing. I wish you and your family my condolences and will keep your brother in my prayers. Cindy Held
Maureen, I am so sorry for your loss. As you know Tom and I worked very close together at Stevens for over 18 years. He was a great friend and a good listener. I will miss seeing you both at all the places we seemed to meet at. My prayers go out to your familys. I will truly miss him. Love, Roni
My deepest thoughts and prayers go out to your family. I worked with Tommy at Steven’s Ford for a year. His smile and warm greeting will not be forgotten.
Put Shania on
THANK YOU ALL TO HAVE SIGNED IN. THIS IS TOMS SISTER KAREN….IT IS NICE TO KNOW HE TOUCHED SO MANY PEOPLE.AS HE DID US..WE APPRECIATE HEARING FROM YOU ALL!!!! TAKE HIS STRENGTH WITH YOU EVERY DAY.
To the Family of .Tommy Richards…. Dear Maureen, Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. My heart goes out to you with the loss of your husband and brother at such a young age. Have comfort in knowing he is no longer in pain. He is now at peace with our Lord, as with my dearly beloved husband, Steve. I’m sorry I will not be there for the services due to transportation, but I will be in town over the weekend. I hope to see you then. TOMMY, YOU WILL BE MISSED. YOU WILL LIVE IN OUR HEARTS FOREVER! Love, your cousin, .Jeanie.
To the Family: Jim and I knew Tom through a mutual friend, Bill Wilson. What an amazing man. Tom never gave up, he just kept putting one foot in front of the other. God Bless him. Know that we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Tom – You are a great person from a wonderful family and so blessed to have had Maureen as your wife. Your passing is our loss and Heaven’s great gain. May my kids be as great as you. May Calhoun greet you every day in Heaven as he did on Earth. Your laughter, enthusiasm, and spirit live on. — Old Friend/College Roommate
Tom was a great friend .He fit in well with us zanies in the office as he always said he grew up with sisters and was used to zany women.I will always admire him for putting up such agreat fight.We will miss him so very much.
Tom was a great person with a great sense of humor. I worked with him for over 18 years. He watched me grow from a Chicken to a Hen as he would say. You will always be remembered and greatly missed TR
TR was a wonderful person and will be missed by all. God Bless you Tom.
We have had many dealings with Tom from Stevens Ford. The DMV Dealer Processing Unit wishes to send our condolences to his family. He will be greatly missed by all.