Richard Charles Page

Richard Charles Page, 85, passed away peacefully with family by his side at Tiffin House – Assisted Living and Memory Care, Georgetown, Texas on Friday, January 20, 2023 from Alzheimer’s disease. Richard was born in Holyoke, MA on May 20, 1937 to loving parents Lionel and Lorraine (Benoit) Page. He attended local schools and received his Associate Degree in Science – Law Enforcement from Holyoke Community College. He served in the United States Air Force from 12/26/1956-5/13/1960, where he spent most of his time in Paris, France. One of Richard’s many hobbies was working on cars and after serving, he began employment in the automotive industry in his hometown. This job led to his cherished car, a Packard automobile, that was painted five different colors. It wasn’t long, though, before Richard finally settled into his lifetime career as a police officer for the city of Holyoke. He was sworn in on 8/11/1968 and continued to advance in the field throughout his career. He was named Sargent on 8/19/1974, Lieutenant on 4/29/1979 and Captain on 2/11/1990. He remained in this latter role until his retirement on 9/30/1996. He oversaw the Crime Prevention Bureau and led the Detective Bureau at points during his career. One of his most accomplished roles while on the police force was being a member of the Western Massachusetts Narcotics Task Force, which he served on from March 1987 – August 1995. Richard loved being a police officer and many of his co-workers became extended family to us. One fact that he was extremely proud of was that in all his years on the force, he never once fired his gun. When not working, Richard enjoyed many hobbies in addition to cars. He loved fishing and he invited his family to go with him whenever possible. Later in life, he would go on many fishing trips to Cape Cod with his friends and son, Rich, and he would describe these as some of his best times. He also loved to garden and any place he lived in became an oasis of flowers, greenery, vegetables, koi ponds, and the like. He loved sports, especially golfing and running, which many of his family members also took up to spend time with him. He would run the Holyoke Turkey Trot and St. Patrick’s Road Race nearly every year, usually donning some sort of costume or green hair. He was an avid animal lover and especially cherished his many dogs throughout his lifetime. In his last few years, he really enjoyed his morning time spent with longtime friends over coffee and donuts.
Richard was predeceased by the love of his life, Beverly Jackman, whom he married at Precious Blood Church in Holyoke on October 21, 1961. They enjoyed 53 beautiful years together until her death in 2014 of the same disease. Richard is also predeceased by two sons, Michael (Sept. 12, 2002) and Edward (May 13, 2022), as well as two siblings, Kenneth Page and Janice (Page) Bigelow. He is survived by one son, Richard Page Jr. and his wife Carol of Summerville, SC, and four daughters, Lynn Moynihan and her husband Keith of Georgetown, TX, Elizabeth Page of Georgetown, TX, Allison Shepherd Sneddon and her husband Kevin of Nashville, TN, and Leslie Taylor and her husband Tom of Snellville, GA. Richard is also survived by eight beloved grandchildren whom he cherished – Brian, Shawn and Christian Moynihan, Paula Page (and great granddaughter Thea), Benjamin and Cameron Shepherd, and Lindsey and Caitlyn Taylor, as well as two siblings, Donald Page and wife Janet of DeLand, Florida and Stephen Page and wife Gerri of Little River, SC. Richard will be remembered as a devoted husband and Father who worked incredibly hard to provide for his family. His humor made for many stories that will continue to keep us all laughing. So many of our cherished family memories took place at a home he made for us in Becket, MA. This place was a setting for countless picnics, celebrations and visits from our extended family and friends and we will hold onto these memories tightly as we move forward without him.
Our family would like to thank the staff at Tiffin House for the truly wonderful care they gave to Richard while he lived there. They treated him like family and helped him live his final days with dignity and grace.
Services for Richard will be held on Friday, February 10, 2023. There will be a period of visitation from 9:30-10:30 AM at Messier Funeral Home, 1944 Northampton Street, Holyoke, MA. Christian mass will follow at 11:30 AM at Our Lady of the Cross Catholic Parish, Holy Cross Ave, Holyoke, followed by burial with full military honors at 1:00 PM at Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA. For additional information, please visit www.messierfuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Shriner’s Hospital, 516 Carew St., Springfield, Massachusetts 01104 or Alzheimer’s Association ( www.alz.org ) in Richard and Beverly’s name.