Published in the December 26, 2018 edition.
WAKEFIELD — Richard D. Wallace, 80, of Wakefield, formerly of Melrose and Milford, peacefully passed away while surrounded by his family at his home on Sunday, December 23, 2018.
He was the son of the late J. Allen and Lillian (Moran) Wallace of Milford.
A 1956 graduate of Milford High School, Richard received both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Economics from Boston College and pursued a more than 30 year career in data processing, including President of Conifer Computer Services, Inc. in Worcester. He married his childhood sweetheart, Sandra L. Elliott, where they resided in Melrose for 37 years raising their three children before moving to Wakefield 15 years ago. Later in life, Richard returned to Boston College to earn a master’s degree in Social Work and spent the reminder of his career working as a licensed social worker helping families, children and the elderly. Richard was a tireless advocate for the underprivileged and volunteered for a variety of nonprofit and community organizations, including serving on the board of Riverside Community Care for many years. He was a dedicated member of The Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Wakefield for over 50 years, serving as Lector, Coordinator and a leader within the Virtus Program. In addition, he researched and published two books.
He was the beloved husband of Sandra L. (Elliott). He was the loving father of Peter Wallace and his wife Barbara of Medway, Sarah Hand and her husband Edward of Issaquah, Wash., and Stephen Wallace and his wife Helen of Whippany, N.J. He was the brother of John Allen of Boston and his late twin brother, Robert. He was the grandfather of Andrew, Rebecca, Joseph and Margaret. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
His funeral will be held from the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Friday at 10:30 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass in Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 1155 Main St., Wakefield at 11:30 a.m. Visitation for relatives and friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 4-7 p.m. Interment, North Purchase Cemetery, Milford.
