SOUTHWICK: Richard N. Gaylord, Jr., age 86, of Southwick, MA passed away on October 29, 2015, after battling cancer. He was the son of the late Richard N. Gaylord, Sr. and Doris Pomeroy Gaylord. Born in Westfield he was a 70 year resident of that city before moving to Southwick in 2007. Dick graduated from Westfield High School in 1946. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and then studied mechanical engineering at Yale University. After college, Dick was employed as a shipping clerk at Westfield Grinding Wheel Co. He retired 47 ½ years later as Chairman of its Board. During his working years, Dick was a four term member of the Grinding Wheel Institute Board of Directors, a ten year chairman of Westfield’s American Red Cross Blood Program and a 35 gallon blood donor. In 1967 he was elected to the Board of the Westfield Cooperative Bank which later merged with United Cooperative Bank and continued to serve for 30 years. Dick retired from United after serving ten years as Chairman of its Board. He was a past Director of the Westfield YMCA, the Westfield Chamber of Commerce, and a ten year Trustee of Noble Hospital. Dick was also a member of the Engineering Society of Western Massachusetts and the American Society for Metals. Always interested in scouting, he was an Eagle Scout and a member of the Order of the Arrow. A loyal member of the First Congregational Church of Westfield, Dick served on its prudential, finance, invested funds, and by-laws committees.He was a 32nd degree Mason and a Shriner. Also Dick was a member of the Get-Together Club and the Western Hampden Historical Society. His favorite pastimes were hunting, fishing, travel, flying and spending summers with family in Otis. He leaves his wife of 60 years, Elizabeth (Marshman) Gaylord, a daughter, Donna J. Gaylord of South Deerfield, MA, two sons, Richard N. Gaylord, lll and his wife Cynthia of Westfield, Robert L. Gaylord and his wife Tammy of Lafayette, CA, and six grandsons, Matthew and his wife Heather, Timothy, Daniel, Scott, Jack and Andrew, as well as numerous nephews and a niece. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at 1:00 PM at the First Congregational Church, 18 Broad Street, Westfield, MA with burial at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to any of the following: The First Congregational Church, 18 Broad Street, Westfield, MA 01085, Fidelco Guide Dog, 103 Vision Way, Bloomfield, CT, 06002, The Salvation Army, 170 Pearl St., Springfield, MA, 01101Firtionadams.com
