MILFORD, Mass. - Richard J. Person, 81, of Milford, Mass., died peacefully on Saturday, June 16, 2012, in the Blaire House of Milford, Mass.
He was born Sept. 14, 1930, in Erie, Pa., the son of the late Carl E. and Ruth J. (Woodruff) Person.
He was the husband of Arlene A. (Decoteau) Person, with whom he ob-served their 38th wedding anniversary on July 10, 2011.
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Mr. Person was employed for more than 30 years as an international union representative for the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers AFL in Washington, D.C. During which he organized within NASA, several engineering and scientific locals in Alabama, Maryland and Ohio. He was also involved in the organizing and contract negotiations for several New England private and public employees. He be-gan his career in labor as an officer for the local while working in Jamestown, N.Y., for Art Metal and Hopes Windows. He con-tinued to be a strong advo-cate for labor rights and is-sues following his retire-ment in 1997.
Richard always had a great commitment to faith and community. As a par-ishioner of Trinity Ep-iscopal Church, he sang bass in the choir and also held positions on the church vestry, including junior warden, senior war-den and chairman of the building committee. He served the town of Milford on the school building committee, the Upper Charles Bike Trail and as a town meeting member for more than 25 years. Recent-ly re-elected in April, he served as a town library trustee for six years and as chairman for the town li-brary renovation commit-tee. Mr. Person was a long time member of the Loyal Order of the Moose of Jamestown, N.Y.
A patron of art and music and a member of the MFA, he enjoyed painting and drawing, especially land- scapes and still lifes. Richard enjoyed traveling with his wife and spending time with his family and friends. Always known as being impeccably dressed, he was an avid dancer. He had a love-hate relation-ship with golf and was quintessentially a New England sports fan. Known as someone who could fix anything, he frequently did for friends and family.
In addition to his wife Arlene, he is survived by four sons: Brian, Richard S. and his wife, Donna, Walter and his companion, Carla Havers, all of Jamestown, N.Y., and Robert and his wife Melissa of Hoboken, N.J.; two daughters: Lorrie Sears and her fiance, Gary Strong of South Yarmouth and Sharon and her hus-band, George Flannery of Warren, Pa.; a brother, Robert J. Person of Virginia Beach, Va.; a sister Virginia Wadsworth of Orchard Park, N.Y.; six grandchil-dren; and 11 great-gran-dchildren. He was prede-ceased by a brother, Oscar Person; a sister, Marilyn Kniss; and his first wife, the former May Lou Coan.
Funeral services will be held Monday, June 25, 2012 at 10 a.m. from the Buma-Sargeant Funeral Home, 42 Congress St., Milford, followed by a celebration of life with eu-charist at 11 a.m. in the Trinity Episcopal Church, 17 Congress St., Milford 01757.
Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Cedar Street (Route 85), Milford, at a later date.
Visiting hours will be held Sunday, June 24, 2012, from 2 to 5 p.m. in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Trinity Ep-iscopal Church, Rector's Discretionary Fund or to the Choir Robe Memorial Fund, 17 Congress St., Mil-ford, MA 01757. www. bumafuneralhome. com.