Richard W. Williams

Dick Williams, 92, celebrated his last 19th hole on June 24th after battling several medical issues. He passed peacefully surrounded by his wife and children.

Born in Waltham, MA. to Joseph and Florence Williams (nee) Bourque, Dick enlisted in the Air Force directly out of high school and joined our forces in Korea for the duration of and thus becoming a veteran of the Korean War. Upon his return he graduated from Ithaca College and continued with his education to earn a Masters Degree from Montclair State University.

Sixty-four years ago, Dick married the love of his life, Sharon who survives him along with his sons, Allen (Rachel), Richard (Kelly), Robert and his daughter Stefanie (David). He is also survived by 6 Grandchildren: Brittany, Ariel, Caitlin (Kendall), Peter, Andrew and Allyson as well as his Great-Granddaughter Ashley along with his brother Joseph (Skip) and sister-in-law Allyn.

Dick taught Physics and other branches of science at Northern Highlands HS from 1972-1975 and after a short foray into other endeavors he finished his career teaching Physics for 17 years at Lyndhurst High School.

During his more than 45 years in Allendale, he could be found playing softball on Sundays at Brookside Field or doing volunteer work for the Holiday Observers as well as serving on town committees. He participated in many golf outings to benefit Tomorrows Children’s Fund and frequently marched in the Memorial Day parade with his fellow veterans. He was also a parishioner and Lector at The Church of the Guardian Angel in Allendale.

Dick was an avid Boston Red Socks Fan. He played several sports growing up as a young boy and continuing through college playing, Ice hockey, football, baseball, basketball, and golf. He followed the Premiership Football (Soccer) League as a Tottenham Hotspur’s fan. He could also be found watching his favorite sports and sipping a martini with his pals at the Allendale Bar and Grill which he loved since his first time there 53+ years ago.

Dick was known by many names depending on who he was with at the time including Silly, Silly Pop-Pop, Riccardo (in Italy), The Big W, and most notably by the crew at the “G” F. Awesome. Of course, his children called him Dad and there were other “pet” names although some that should not be printed here.

Dick and Sharon liked to live the vagabond life and travel the world before, but much more frequently after retirement. Despite visiting countries in the Far East, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and Asia they found a second family in Rome, considered by both sides a “family of the heart not the blood”. Initially with Simona and Gabro and their immediate family which increased in size with each of the 20+ years they traveled there. Many extended family members and friends, too many to list, whom he loved dearly.

Dick loved life and lived it fully!! As many people know, he never met anyone he could not…or would not talk to happily and with great knowledge and insight on any subject.

Although Riccardo planned to celebrate his 100th Birthday in Rome, as he began to realize that might not happen he told Sharon “I had a good run,” and so he did! Should you think this is an odd obituary, well it was meant to be as it was written by me, his wife, Sharon, for you his family and friends not necessarily a wider audience. I’ll end by writing, “good bye my huckleberry friend, bacino, bacino amore mio ci vediamo in paradiso”.

Memorial Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM with Military Honors being rendered at 7 PM at Van Emburgh-Sneider-Pernice Funeral Home, 109 Darlington Ave, Ramsey, NJ 07446. 

A memorial mass will be celebrated on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 11 AM at Guardian Angel R.C. Church in Allendale. 

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