August 18, 2012
Folsom, Richard J.
Richard John Folsom, a resident of Highland Glen in Westwood, and formerly of Norwood, Walpole and Wareham, died unexpectedly on August 18, 2012 at the Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Newton. He was 82. Dick was born August 17, 1930 in Boston, Massachusetts, the son of Earl Wildred and Ada Marion (Shannehan) Folsom. He attended Roxbury Latin School and graduated high school from Bordentown Military Institute in Bordentown, New Jersey. He attended Boston University before graduating from the New England Institute of Anatomy, Sanitary Science and Embalming in Boston in April of 1956. Dick enlisted and served for three years in the US Army during the Korean War, stationed in Germany. He was discharged from the US Army Reserve in 1960 as a Corporal E-4. Dick joined the family business, started by his grandfather in Roslindale in 1905, as a funeral director and embalmer. He joined his father Bill,and older brother Earl, and shortly thereafter was joined by his younger brother Don. Eventually he was joined by both his son and his grandson in running Folsom Funeral Service which has offices in Dedham, Westwood and Norwood, as well as the original Roslindale home. He retired in 1995. Dick was a member of Celestial Lodge AF & AM (formerly Eliot-Hyde Park Lodge in Westwood), an active member of the First Baptist Church of Westwood where he was a former Deacon, a member of the Society in Dedham for the Apprehension of Horsethieves, a Past President of the Westwood Rotary Club, a member of the Westwood Retired Mens Club, a Director of the former Dedham Cooperative Bank, and a life member of the Folsom Family Association. He was the husband of the late E. Jane (Anderson) who predeceased him in 2009, and a brother of the late Jean Enman and the late Earl W. Folsom Jr. Dick is survived by his son, Robert M. Folsom, and his wife Donna (Jacobs) of Westwood; his daughter, Judith Ann “Jodi” Murray, and her husband John, of Westwood; his five grandchildren, Christine Lynn and Caitlin Elizabeth Murray, both of Westwood, Sarah Jane Folcrum, and her husband James, of Norwood, Brian Robert Folsom of Dedham, and Julia Grace Folsom of Norwood; and his brother, Donald Owen Folsom, and his wife Corinne, of Keene, NH. He also leaves two sisters-in-law, Alice (MacLeod) Folsom of Middleboro, and Dorothy (Siddell) Folsom of Dedham; a brother-in-law, John Enman of Rindge, New Hampshire; and his wife’s sister, Vivien Reboli, and her husband Warren, of Arizona. Visiting hours will be held Tuesday, August 21st from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Folsom Funeral Home, 649 High Street, Westwood. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral Wednesday at 11 AM at the First Baptist Church of Westwood, 808 High Street. After cremation interment will be in New Westwood Cemetery, Westwood. Donations in his memory to the Memorial Fund of the First Baptist Church, 808 High Street, Westwood, MA 02090 would be appreciated.
Comments(16)
My Dear Bob and Jodi,
I am deeply saddened to hear of your Dad’s passing and I am so sorry for your loss. When I think of your Dad, (my Uncle Dick), my heart smiles and is filled with so much love. He was such a wonderful man and he touched the hearts of so many. I will always remember his amazing smile, his sense of humor, his sparkling eyes, and the deep love that he had for his family.
Uncle Dick, You will be lovingly remembered and truly missed. I am so blessed to have had such a wonderful uncle.
Sending you all Big Hugs and All My Love……Debbie
Bob,
We were saddened to here of the passing of your father. I hope that you find peace in knowing he will always be with you if you believe and have faith. May God bless you in your time of need.
Janet and John Dorion
Bob,
We were saddened to here of the passing of your father. I hope that you find peace in knowing he will always be with you if you believe and have faith. May God bless you in your time of need.
Janet and John Dorion
Dear Bob,
Our condolences on the pasing of your Dad.
our age and distance prevents us from attending his services but our thoughts of many years are with you and the family
Marjorie and Jim McBride
Dear Bob, Donna, Jodi, John and family, We
were deeply saddened to hear of the loss of
your dear Dick. We have so many wonderful,
special memories of Dick and Jane. They also
surprised us and stopped by for a visit
when going through Ormond Beach. We were so
happy to see them. Your loved one will be
greatly missed as he was a true gentleman.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Love,
Ken and Marie Everts
Bob, I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of Your Dad Dick, With his encouragement I also attended Bordentown Military Institute, Bordentown, NJ as a cadet in the early 1960s as He and his brothers had done. The Folsom’s have always had a special place in the hearts of the McCarter family. Larry & Joanne McCarter
Katy & Brian, I am so sorry to hear about your grandfather, they hold a special place in our lives and hearts. I’m thinking of you and your families. My condolences, hold the memories close.
Jodi and family
I was saddened to hear of your dad’s passing. I have many fond memories of both of your parents from our high school days,(how they put up with the shenanigans!)
I’m away and unfortunately unable to attend your dad’s services, but please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers…
Mooch
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Westwood Glen Association
Bob, Donna and family-
Very sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. I never had the pleasure of meeting him, but several Westwood friends told me what a kind & wonderful man he was. Please accept my sincere condolences…Chris
Richard John Folsom
August 17, 1930 – August 18, 2012
As for Richard, his days were numerous as the grass:
as a flower in God’s field, so he flourished.
Yet the wind of the Holy Spirt has passed over him;
and he, from this earth, is now gone;
and the place where he once dwelled
shall know him no more.
But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to
everlasting, and was shown to him;
for he loved the Lord and feared God;
and the righteousness of our Lord
Jesus Christ was set upon him.
To Richard, who believed in God’s promise,
He has now given the gift of life eternal.
The above is based, in part, on Psalm 103:15
Dear Bob, Jodi and Family, I just learned of your dad’s passing and am so sorry that I was unable to give you my condolences personally. My heart goes out to you all. The memories I have of the Folsom family are ones of deep love and devotion to family. Your folks were kind enough to include me in morning breakfasts (I’d never heard of “French” toast)… trips to Jaffrey, NH to visit relatives, and evenings watching Lassie (I hated crying … I didn’t want you all to see)… but perhaps you had tears in your eyes, too? I was always envious of your family going on trips in your trailer and for such a warm and loving home life. I’m sure you both know, but you were SO blessed to have your mom and dad as your parents. They gave you a strong foundation and you have built from there. I am sure that they both were very proud of you. May you find that the memories of your dad and your mom keep your heart cheered and may your faith remind you that you will see them again! Most sincerely, Pam (Grant)
Bob and family,
I am very sorry for the loss of your Dad and Grandfather. He was always very friendly to me and helped to start the long relationship between our families. Unfortunately I am unable to attend services as I just returned from Canada late last night and was just informed this morning of his passing. I will be thinking of you during these difficult times.
Steven Lewis
Bob and Family – I am very sorry for your loss. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Dearest Bob and family
My sister Ann just informed me of the loss of your father. I am so sorry to hear about his sudden death. Your family was always an important part of all of my First Baptist Westwood years. The very kind, thoughtful, generous, happy Folsom family. You are indeed a blessed family.
My prayers, thoughts and love to all of you.
Susan
My sympathy to the Folsom family. Mr.Folsom was very kind to me when I was interested in gaining information about a career in funeral service while in high school. His insight and advice helped to further advance my ultimate choice in joining the ranksof this honorable profession.