Richard Priest Sr.

Richard Priest Sr. was born January 24, 1938 in Cambridge, MA. He’s predeceased by his parents, Katherine and Anthony Priest, who had four boys: Francis (also deceased), Richard, Anthony Jr, and Michael. 

As a young man Richard, known to his friends as “Dick”, had a fast affinity for music, dancing, and sports. Music led him to the love of his life, Oleta, whom he met at a local dance hall. They fell madly in love and soon started a family of their own. This August marked 65 years of marriage for the two of them. Their four children grew up in Littleton surrounded by love and laughter. Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Dick knew him for his outgoing and sociable nature, quick wit, and zest for life. He had a fierce love of his country and was a firm believer in holding doors open and checking in on neighbors. He was forever jumping in to help stranded motorists get their cars running.

Dick’s active lifestyle meant his children got to enjoy skiing, camping, and many beach days when they were young. Some of their fondest memories of him are in what could be considered the ordinary things in life: he could fix nearly anything (sometimes using only some duct tape!) and he could cook up a delicious meal with whatever was available. He passed this knowledge of mechanics and cooking on to his children and grandchildren in turn. 

After raising his own children, Dick got to enjoy the pure joy of being a grandparent. Known as “Bumpa”, he attended as many dance recitals and sports events as he could and always made his grandchildren feel special and loved. He and Oleta often hosted their whole crew of grandchildren in the summer for cookouts and swimming in their beautiful inground pool.

He spent most of his life working for Pepsi as a production manager, then handyman at Haystack observatory. In his retirement he spent his winters playing senior softball in Florida. He also loved to ride his motorcycle with his best friends David and Billy. He rode his motorcycle well into his eighties and always “took Billy” with him after his passing, carrying his photo in his breast pocket. 

Dick passed away surrounded by his loved ones. There are not enough words to express how much he has taught to all of us, and for all the beautiful memories he has given us. He will be forever missed and loved by his wife, Oleta; his children, Robin and her late husband Mark, Paige and her husband Billy, Dawn, and Richard Jr; his grandchildren, Ally, Rhys, Ricky, Shayne, Eryl, Madeline, Cullen, and Dani, and his four great-grandchildren.

The family will not be holding any services but in lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital would be greatly appreciated.

St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital
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