Richard J. McBride

Richard J. McBride, husband of Doris Bailey McBride, died at Meriden Care Center on Feb. 19, 2010. He was 74. Born in Meriden on July 22, 1935, he was the son of the late Lincoln H. and Edith Mitchell McBride. A lifelong resident of Meriden, Richard attended local schools, graduating from Meriden High School in 1953. He served in the U.S. Army in Alaska from 1955-57. He worked for the Connecticut Department of Mental Retardation for 34 years. An active member of the First Congregational Church, he served on numerous committees and was the church historian for more 30 years. In his retirement he immersed himself in the genealogy of the McBride and Mitchell families and traveled to Ireland His love of Meriden and its history manifested itself through life membership and presidency of the Meriden Historical Society, research and collecting of Meriden history and slide presentations to the public on Meriden's past. He was inducted into the Meriden Hall of Fame in October 2008. Richard was an active philatelist and postal historian. He was a member of the Meriden and the Portland stamp clubs. He was also a member of the Friends of the Meriden Public Library and volunteered in the library's reference department. In his capacity of historian of the Meriden Y's Men Retirement Club, he enjoyed regaling the club with historical tid-bits each week. Richard also served on many other civic boards and organizations that enhanced the lives of Meriden's citizens. Besides his wife of 50 years (May 14, 2010), he is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law: Michael A. & Michelle M. McBride of Wallingford, Jeffrey A. & Donna L. McBride of Meriden and Stephen L. & Robin C. McBride of Plantsville and 7 grandchildren: Rebecca McBride of Meriden; Jillian, Colleen & Thomas McBride of Wallingford; and Ricky, Kersyn & expected baby McBride of Plantsville. He is also survived by his brother and wife, James B. & Catherine G. McBride of Florida; three sisters and brothers-in-laws, Joyce M. Krauth of Portland, Virginia M. & Ernst Freeman of Southington and Marcia M. & Claude Pare of Meriden; and sister-in-laws, Frances M. McBride, Alberta B. Baigert and Edith B. Davis of Meriden and Claudia Bailey of Wallingford, as well many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Robert E. McBride and sister Gail S. McBride. His family would like to thank his many doctors and nurses over the years, the staff at Central Connecticut Dialysis Center and the staff at Meriden Care Center for their care and support. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Camp Claire, in care of First Congregational Church of Meriden 62 Colony St., Meriden, CT 06451. A Memorial Service honoring Richard's life will be held on Monday, February 22, 2010 at 12 noon at the First Congregational Church, 62 Colony St., Meriden, Relatives and friends may call at the Beecher & Bennett-Flatow Funeral Home, 48 Cook Ave., Meriden on Sunday, February 21, 2010 from 3-7 p.m. Burial will be private.