Richard Thomas Maddalena-Lucey

Richard Thomas Maddalena-Lucey, born May 28, 1947, in Waltham, Massachusetts, and a longtime resident of Gardner, Massachusetts, passed away on September 20, 2026.

Richard was a humble and dedicated man who brought compassion and thoughtfulness to everything he did. Known for his ability to listen without judgment, Richard was always willing to give of himself without expecting anything in return. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and friend—a beacon of love and kindness whose presence enriched the lives of those around him.

Richard served in the United States Air Force in base security, traveling across oceans and cultures and developing the keen intellect and worldly perspective that would remain hallmarks of his character throughout his life. Following his military service, he spent time working as a tailor, even designing stage clothes for the J. Geils Band. It was during this period that he met the love of his life. They married on February 3, 1978, and together built a beautiful life and family.

Richard later earned a degree in electronics and dedicated much of his career to contracting work involving missile guidance systems. He eventually retired in 2012 as a Quality Control Consultant for Northrop Grumman in Woodland Hills, California. His commitment to excellence and his meticulous attention to detail were an integral part of who he was.

A devoted and sometimes *rabid* Red Sox fan, Richard could often be found cheering on his beloved team. It was a pastime he cherished and one he had hoped to someday share with his grandchildren.

Richard was preceded in death by his beloved wife Linda, his parents, Robert Sr. and Margaret Lucey, and his siblings, Bob and Peggy.

He is survived by his two sons, Tim and Devin Maddalena-Lucey, and their partners, Jessica Guichard and Christine Colascione, respectively; his sister-in-law, Patti Maddalena; and, most importantly, his cherished grandchildren, Rowan and Leander.

Some of Richard's most treasured moments were those spent with his grandchildren, whom he loved dearly. His love for them was evident in the joy he found simply in being their grandfather, and in the hope that he would have many more moments with them—sharing the things he loved and watching them grow.

Gregory Benford once wrote, “Human life is a voyage on a sea of meaning, not a net of information.” Richard's life was certainly filled with information—technical knowledge, worldly experience, curiosity, and a lifelong commitment to understanding how things worked. But what gave his life meaning was never simply what he knew. It was how he listened, how generously he gave of himself, how deeply he loved, and how much joy he found in the people around him. His greatest legacy is not contained in the work he accomplished, but in the lives he touched and the love he gave so freely.

Please join us in honoring Richard's life and legacy at the Massachusetts Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Winchendon where he will be laid to rest on Tuesday, September 29th at 1 PM. We invite you to share your memories of Richard and upload photographs to his memorial page. In doing so, we can continue to celebrate the remarkable life of Richard Maddalena-Lucey—a truly special man whose love and spirit will forever remain in our hearts.