Richard Bresnahan

Richard (Dick) Bresnahan, age 89, of Duxbury, formerly of Scituate, passed away peacefully on August 1 at his home after a short illness.  Dick was born on January 1, 1927 to Jeremiah and Marie Bresnahan in Scituate “on the kitchen table” as he used to like to tell people.  Dick grew up in Scituate and graduated from Scituate High School. After a brief stint in the Army Air Corps, Dick graduated from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy.  Dick worked his entire career as a pharmacist until his retirement in 1989.

Dick met his future wife Dorothy at his father’s pharmacy in North Scituate while she was visiting friends.  She was impressed with his ability to open soda bottles with his bare hands.  Their romance blossomed but was interrupted by WWII.  After the war and Dick’s graduation from pharmacy school, Dot and Dick were married on September 16, 1950.

Dick had a love of sports cars and had a Crosley Hot Shot when they were married.  The two seater Crosley was soon obsoleted in favor of Volkswagen buses  as the family soon grew to include six sons; Richard, Thomas, David, Walter, Donald and Mark.  Dot and Dick bought a home on Country Way in Scituate where they raised their six boys.  Dick worked hard but was sure to bring the boys to the beach on hot summer days and otherwise keep them entertained in boy’s activities.  Family vacations were often spent taking the family in the VW bus to Meriden CT. and Middlebury VT. where the boys would spend countless hours engaged in a variety of activities with their cousins.

Just before retiring, Dot and Dick resettled on third cliff; overlooking the golf course and what would become their beloved salt water marsh.  Dot and Dick enjoyed several years of camaraderie and gamesmanship at the Scituate Country Club.

Dick enjoyed many happy and healthy years of retirement as he was able to travel extensively with Dot and visit with their children, grand-children and great grandchildren.  Dick was well versed in many subjects and was always engaging to converse with.

Dick is survived by his sons and their families; Rick and Ann of Hope Maine, Tom and Josie of Warren Maine, Dave and Kim of Mason City Iowa, Walter of Marshfield, Donald and Rose of Berlin MA, and Mark and Cynthia of Easton.  He is also survived by thirteen grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, friends, his dear former daughter in-laws, Anne Bresnahan, Karyn Goodwin and Heidi Bresnahan and special friend Laurie Walsh.

The family would like to thank all of the staff at the Village of Duxbury and the many caregivers who gave Dick care and respect over the past year.  Dick was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy (Morris), parents, Jeremiah and Marie Bresnahan, his brothers Robert, Paul and George, and his sisters Mildred and Jean.

Friends and family are invited to visiting hours at McNamara-Sparrell Funeral Home, 160 So. Main Street, Cohasset on Saturday August 6 from 11 am to 2 pm.

A celebration of Dick’s life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to the charity of your choice in Dick’s memory. 

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