Donald L. Richards Jr., 74

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Donald L. "Gentle Giant” Richards Jr., 74, died peacefully at home on Thursday evening, April 28, 2016.

Born December 16, 1941, in Pittsfield, he was the son of the late Donald L. Richards Sr. and the late Barbara Hartmann Richards. A lifelong Pittsfield resident, he was a 1959 graduate of Pittsfield High School. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Intrepid. 

Don was employed for 32 years as a truck driver for the former Mohawk Beverage and then Pepsi-Cola Bottling Corporation; he retired in 1996. 

Don was a longtime member of the Y.A.B.A. and a 26-year coach for the Junior Bowling League. He served as president of the local Bowling Association and was a member of the American Softball Association. He enjoyed umpiring, playing softball and coin collecting as well as being a ferocious card player. 

He married his wife, the former Linda M. Vermes, on May 4, 1963, at Pilgrim Memorial Church. Married for 53 years, they would have celebrated their anniversary this Wednesday. 

Don and Linda spent 15 glorious sun filled years working on their tans in Arizona, spending quality time with their daughter. Our adored husband and father was the most kind and generous man, always willing to help his fellow man.

In addition to his wife, he leaves his daughter, Deborah M. Pickard along with Randy J. Kaptein of Cottonwood, Ariz.; a son; Michael D. Richards and his wife Debora of Columbia, S.C.; two sisters, Bonnie Killion of Portland, Ore., and Janet Crosier of Upton, Mass.; a brother; Ronald L. Richards of Orlando, Fla.; four grandchildren, Adam S. Pickard, Matthew D. Pickard and his wife Jessica, Alexander J. Richards and Sierra C. Richards; a great-granddaughter, Kyree Dunlap; and his lap companion Gabby "Charlie.” Don will be greatly missed and forever in our hearts. 

Funeral notice: A Celebration of Life for Donald L. "Gentle Giant" Richards Jr., who died April 28, 2016, will be held Thursday, May 5, 2015, at 6 p.m. at the Polish Falcon Club on Bel Air Avenue. There are no calling hours. Burial will be private. 

Memorial donations in memory of Don may be made to the for-coming Don Richards Bowling Scholarship for high school students in care of the Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St., Pittsfield, MA 01201, which is handling arrangements.