George Thomas Richards, Sr.

George Thomas Richards, Sr. diead peacfully on 44 Crest Avenue, West Haven, CT on Wednesday, December 24th 2003. He was born on September 21st 1926 in West Haven, CT a son of the late George Charles Richards and Gertrude McLaughlin Richards. Husband of the late Joyce Corcoran Richards, father of Joyce Teshoney and husband Steve of Northville, NY, Deborah Richards Messiler and her busband Mark of Coventry, Karen Rolli of West Haven, Lesley Olsen and her husband Davin of Cary, NC, George (Tom) RIchards Jr. and his wife Maureen of North Branford, CT, Lawrence Richards and his May of Woodbridge, VA. Grandfather of Kenneth Damato, Kristen Huss, Jordan Messier, Grant Messier, Angela Rolli, Alfonse Rolli, Davin Olsen, Jason Olsen, Craig Richards, Kristara Richards. Great-Granfather of Tucker and Zachary Damato. He is also predeceased by a daughter Allison Richards. Also survived by a very dear friend Theodore Wolfe and very dear companion of Anne Sutherland. He was predeceased by a sister Ruth Longo and brother Robert Richards. He served as principal of West Haven High School from 1964-1976. He was a member of the CIAS Hockey Committee, Ward Heitmann House Museum Foundation, Board Member of the West Haven Historical Soceity. He graduated Central Connecticut State University with a Teaching Certification, and then obtained his Masters degree in teaching from ABD Teachers College at Columbia University. He conducted educational tours for West Haven Historical Society for communities and school children; he also tutored children for the West Haven Public school system. He was an expert in local hitory of West Haven and Oyster River. Adjunct faculty university of New Haven, he proudly served his country during World War II in the US Army. Richard had many hobbies and interests; history, fine wine, opera, classical music, European travel, swimming, tennis and gardening. Funeral service will be held at the First Lutheran Church in West Haven at Campbell Avenue and George Street at 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 29, 2003, interment will be at Centerville Cemetery, Hamden. Relatives and friends may call Sunday, December 28 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the BEECHER AND BENNETT-TAYLOR FUNERAL HOME, 410 Campbell Avenue, West Haven. In lieu of of flowers donations may be made to the Allison Richards Scholarship Foundation, West Haven High Schoolin c/o Karen Rolli 90 Fairview Avnue, West Haven, CT 06516.