Atkinson, NH: Donald J. "Don" Richardson, 78, a resident of Atkinson since 1975, died peacefully on Friday, August 6, 2021 at High Point Hospice House in Haverhill, MA, with his devoted and loving wife by his side.

Born in Winchester, Massachusetts, son of the late Elwood and Carrie (Connelly) Richardson, the seventh of their eight children, he lost his mother at the age of ten and his father four years later and was raised in North Reading. His older brothers and sisters were always there for him as well as his many friends who became like family to him. He was a member of the North Reading High School Class of 1961, where he was a member of the Varsity Hockey Team.

Following graduation, Don joined the U.S. Army and served as a Specialist 5 and Ordinance Specialist at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. He was also a member of the U.S. Army Hockey Team, stationed in France and traveled all over Europe as a member of the team. He was honorably discharged in 1964 and was awarded the Sharpshooter Medal.

Don married Maria T. Pellegrino in 1967 and they settled first in Lynnfield before moving to Atkinson forty-six years ago. He was employed as a machinist at General Electric, and later worked as a salesman, specializing in wood trusses, for Romaro Structures. He served as Vice-President of New England Sales and later was in charge of sales in the Canadian Provinces.

A former member of Holy Angels Parish of Plaistow, serving as a CCD teacher and later as an RCIA instructor, most recently Don and his wife have been members of Saint Anne's Parish of Hampstead. A Fourth Degree member of Saint Jude Council of the Knights of Columbus, he was a Past Grand Knight and also a member of Bishop Peterson Assembly of Salem, NH. He also served as a former State Membership Chairman and former State Program Director.

Don enjoyed hunting and fishing in his younger years. He was a fan of all New England sports teams and was a longtime member of Over 40 men's hockey leagues. He also enjoyed playing golf for many years, taking part in local tournaments.

Predeceased in 2006 by his loving daughter, Lisa M. Richardson, Don will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of fifty-four years, Maria T. (Pellegrino) Richardson, two sons, Derek Richardson and his wife Renee of New Milford, CT. and Joseph Richardson of Atkinson and California, a sister Lillian Martin of North Reading, MA, and two grandchildren, Aiden and Elias Richardson, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his five brothers, Elwood, Herbert, Robert, Charles, and William Richardson and a sister Marion (Richardson) Wiersema.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Don's Life Celebration to be held on Monday, August 16, 2021 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main St., Plaistow, NH. His funeral will begin on Tuesday morning at 9:15 a.m. from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. in Saint Anne's Church, Emerson Avenue, Hampstead, NH. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Holy Angels Cemetery, Plaistow. To send a message of condolence to the family or to share a precious memory, please visit: www.brooksidechapelfh.com . In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the charity of the donor's choice.