Richard A. Kershaw, age 72, of Westport, passed away on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River. He was the beloved husband of Nancy (Desmarais) Kershaw to whom he had been married 42 years.
Born in Fall River, he was the son of the late Alfred E. Kershaw, Jr. and Theo-Louise (Crocker) Kershaw. Richard graduated from Joseph Case High School and received a Bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Massachusetts University (now University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth). He was a Supervisor for Swan Finishing and Oberon for many years. Richard was an avid Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan. In his younger years, he also golfed and went boating as much as he could. Richard enjoyed antiquing, especially for baseball cards to share with his son as well as vaseline glass and interesting collectibles with Nancy. He was a lifelong traveler and frequently enjoyed trips to Maine, Florida, and baseball stadiums around the country. He was the family genealogist who was able to trace his family history back until the 1100s. Richard was a classic cars admirer; attending car shows when he could and even started to be involved in the scene with his own 1954 Chevy Bel Air. Family and friends were always welcomed and Richard enjoyed grilling, entertaining, and playing board games with them.
Always housing a soft spot for animals, he especially loved dogs; doting on his own pups and eventually those of his son and daughter-in-law. He and Nancy enjoyed sitting on their deck watching the local wildlife that lived on their property. Richard loved to watch, and interact, with the various hummingbirds that would flock to the feeders that were always filled for them and eventually he and Nancy became quite the ornithophiles. Along with enjoying the wildlife, maintaining his yard and varying flower beds were a sense of pride for him.
Besides his devoted wife, Richard is survived by his son, Douglas Kershaw and his wife Stephanie of Swansea; one brother, William Kershaw and his wife Rebekah of Swansea as well as several nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Mark Kershaw.
His Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 10:00 AM in the Waring-Sullivan Home at Cherry Place, 178 Winter St., Fall River. Relatives and friends are invited. He will be interred in Beech Grove Cemetery, Westport. Visitation will be held on Monday from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Richard’s honor may be made to the Animal Rescue League of Fall River, 474 Durfee St., Fall River, MA 02720.
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