Richard Darling

CHARLTON - Richard A. Darling, 78, of Gale Road, died Wednesday, July 1, 2009, in his home, after a 2-year battle with cancer. He was predeceased by his wife of 41 years, Dorothy M. (Packard) Darling of Charlton, who died in 1996. He is survived by three sons, Mark C. Darling and his wife Anne Marie Hurley of Charlton, Buddy Darling and his wife Sally of Durham, ME, and Todd R. Darling and his wife Pamela of Charlton; a brother, Joseph E. Darling and his wife Jean of Mashpee; a sister, Terry Bruckart and her husband Steve of Glendale, AZ, twelve grandchildren, one great grandson, many nephews and nieces, and his lifelong friends, Nancy and Ed Cloutier of Fiskdale. He was predeceased by his sister Janet. He was born in Cambridge, the son of the late Frederick and Florence (Christian) Darling, and lived most of his life in Charlton. He graduated from Milford High School in 1949 and was a U.S. Army Air Corps/Air Force veteran of the Korean War. Mr. Darling was an insurance agent at Prudential Life Insurance Co. for 30 years, retiring in 1994. He enjoyed spending winters at his home in Melbourne, FL, and enjoyed traveling with his wife. Mr. Darling was an avid reader and loved puzzles. He was a fan of the Red Sox and Patriots, and will be remembered by his family as a devoted family man. A funeral will be held on Monday, July 6, 2009, from Paradis Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oxford, followed by a Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Ann's Church, 652 Main St., North Oxford. Burial will follow at Westridge Cemetery, Charlton. Calling hours are Sunday, July 5, 2009, from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the VNA Care Hospice, 120 Thomas St., Worcester, MA 01608.