Richard V. "Rick" McDermott Jr.

Richard McDermott passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer. Rick was born in Mattapan and the family moved first to Milton and then to Westwood when he was eight years old. Rick attended Westwood schools and graduated in the first class at Xaverian Brothers High School in Westwood in 1967. He graduated from Holy Cross College and later earned his MBA from Babson College. Rick worked in the consumer product industry in sales and sales administration over the course of his career, including time with Proctor & Gamble, McNeil Labs, Underwood, and Ocean Spray Cranberries.

Rick was most passionate about three things: his love for his wife Janet, his family, and golf. Rick met Janet on a blind date while he was at Holy Cross and Janet was at Regis College. He married the love of his life, Janet Sullivan, in 1974 and they lived a life of devotion for over 50 years. They resided in Norwood throughout their marriage. Janet was a 42-year English teacher in Medfield and passed away in 2023 after a short illness. Rick is also predeceased by his parents, Richard and Frances, and his brother Mark.

Rick was part of a close-knit and growing family, and he cherished family time. He not only loved being an uncle, but he was also a great-uncle. He leaves behind: brother Scott McDermott and his wife Kelly of Medfield, their children Courtney and Matt Gill, Dillon McDermott and Jack McDermott, and his great nephew Pearce Gill and great nieces Lila and Harper Gill; Sister Nancy McDermott and her husband Bob O’Keefe (deceased) of Duxbury, her children Matt O’Keefe and Connor O’Keefe; and Paul McDermott and his wife Laura of Duxbury, their children Marley McDermott and her husband Bennett Skaggs; Jay McDermott and Max McDermott and his great niece Ellis Skaggs.

Rick learned golf as an 11-year-old with his father. They shared a passion for the game. Rick became a dedicated student and champion of the sport. He was the golf captain at Xaverian and Holy Cross and a 40-year member of Woodland Golf Club, where he won numerous Club Championships. In recent years Rick greatly enjoyed being a member of Sharon Country Club.

Immediate family gathered for a private Burial Ceremony where Rick was laid to rest beside Janet at Highland Cemetery in Norwood.

Expressions of sympathy may be made in Rick’s memory to the Norwood Circle of Hope, PO Box 421, Norwood, MA 02062.