Published in the July 31, 2015 edition

MELROSE — Richard A. “Rich” Sidmore, 65, of Melrose, passed away on Thursday, July 23, at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital.

Mr. Sidmore was born in Melrose on May 17, 1950, one of two children of the late Stuart F. and Elizabeth M. (Scarborough) Sidmore. He was raised in Melrose where he graduated from Melrose High School, Class of 1968. He received his associate’s degree from North Shore Community College.

On Feb. 21, 1975, he married Brenda L. Oxton and they settled in Melrose to raise a family.

Rich was taught the trades by his father who was a general contractor for many years. During his career, Rich worked a variety of jobs in contracting and sales. He worked for a period of time at Diano in Woburn, as the assistant manager at Woodworkers Warehouse and as a mechanical assembler at Pro Tech. Most recently, he found a position that fit him at Home Depot where he enjoyed advising customers in the paint department.

In his free time, Rich loved watching westerns on TV. Blessed with an artistic side, Rich enjoyed writing and playing music either on the guitar or keyboard. He also wrote poetry and painted in acrylics, particularly mountain scenes.

Rich was a member of the First Baptist Church where he also served as the Church Sexton for many years. He was a great listener and had an ability to advise and help others. Above all else, Rich was an honest and trusting father to his three sons.

Rich was the beloved husband of Brenda L. (Oxton) Sidmore with whom he shared 40 years of marriage. He was the devoted father of Christopher W. Sidmore, Jeffrey T. Sidmore and Daniel A. Sidmore and his wife Melissa D’Addario, all of Malden. He was the dear brother of the late Stuart F. Sidmore Jr., and his surviving wife Janet Roberts of New London, N.H. He was the loving grandfather of Jeffrey T. Sidmore Jr. and Victoria E. Sidmore of Malden. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends gathered in honor and remembrance of Rich’s life at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose during visiting hours on Tuesday, July 28, from 4 to 8 p.m., and again for his funeral service on Wednesday at 10 a.m. Interment in Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose.

Gifts in memory of Rich may be made to The Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Pl. West, 6th Fl., Brookline MA 02445 or via www.jimmyfund.org/gift..

For online tribute visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.