Earl B. Richards

CLARKSVILLE – Earl B. Richards passed away at home Sunday afternoon, April 3rd, 2016. Earl was born July 19th (recorded July 21, 1926) in the Bear Rock section of Stewartstown. He was the youngest of six children born to Perley Frank Richards and Sarah Ardes Heath. Grammar school education was in Clarksville and he graduated from Pittsburg High with the Class of 1944. Immediately following graduation he went to Chicago to attend Coyne Electrical School, which was interrupted by the military draft of World War II. He was chosen for the Navy and graduated from Naval Electrical School at Bainbridge, MD. His military career took him to Hawaii and the Philippines in preparation for what would have been the invasion of Japan had the war not ended. His return to the mainland was via the USS YP-237 that was decommissioned at San Diego, March 1946. Before being discharged, he was assigned to the USS Steinaker, a destroyer, for maneuvers in the Caribbean. Earl met his future wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Louise Helbig, in 1944, and their courtship occurred during the period stated above. They were married Aug. 29, , in Lancaster where he was working as an electrician. January 1949 the decision was made for them to move to Connecticut to be employed by Betty’s father at Helbig’s Market. There Earl trained under the GI Bill to be a butcher and in retail food sales. Mr. Helbig retired in 1952 and Earl returned to his electrical work being employed at Avco Lycoming for the next 7 years. In 1958, he entered the insurance business and represented Nationwide Insurance for 35 years, retiring in 1993. He wanted it known that Betty was a true partner, going back to nursing while Earl got enough insurance on the books to support their family. In 1968, she went to work for him, where she managed the office, as well as taking care of things at home that included the five children born to them. Earl and Betty enjoyed traveling and were able to travel in all 50 states, six continents, as well as islands of the Pacific and Atlantic and the Caribbean. They always said they were grateful to be able to do this while young enough to enjoy , and continued to travel until their mid-80s. Winters during the last 20 years of traveling were spent in the Palm Springs, CA area. Having enjoyed 67 years of marriage, they would both say that the fact they had received Jesus Christ as their Savior early on in their marriage made it possible to handle all the ripples which life brings, and to appreciate every blessing that came their way. Praise the Lord for that! Earl was predeceased by his parents, Perley F. Richards and S. Ardes (Heath Richards) Haynes, his wife Betty last October, and their oldest daughter, Carol Jane Richards Babey (2011), as well as brothers, Gerard, Frank, Roland “Dick” and sister, Thelma Nichols. Other family members who passed away are great-granddaughter, Lydia Eileen Thompson (2010), son-in-law Edward Quesnell (1988) and daughter-in-law Dorothy Richards (2011). Family members remaining in their mortal sphere are Carol Jane’s husband, Mike Babey of Stratford, CT; Carl “Jim” and Cathy Richards of Ansonia, CT; Ann and Audie Thompson of Shelton, CT; Lauren and Ron Chiplinsky of Derby, CT; and Linda and David Chappell of Clarksville, NH. Surviving members of his family include his older sister Alice Conover of Northville, NY, who will celebrate her 95th birthday this month, as well as sister-in-law Mary (Helbig) Polo; grandchildren Omar (Amy) Madruga; Richard (Carola) Thompson; Micah (Jen) Thompson; Liz (Scott) Dolham; Lisa Chiplinsky; Jeffrey Quesnell, Tim (Jen) Chappell, Sarah Chappell, and Michael Chappell. Eleven great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins will continue the Richard’s legacy. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Earl and Betty’s special friends who have been like family, Marty & Connie Martin of Pittsburg, and Nancy Emmons of Clarksville. A memorial service will be held later in the spring at the family home in Clarksville with details to be posted at that time. Memorial donations can be made to Pittsburg’s Farnham Memorial United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 306, Pittsburg, NH; or to a charitable organization of one’s choice. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com.

Earl B. Richards

July 21, 1926 - April 3, 2016