Official Obituary of
Richard E. Szlegier
August 12, 2018
Richard Szlegier Obituary
Dartmouth - Richard E. Szlegier died Sunday, August 12, 2018, at the home of his loving care providers, Lillian and Robert Willett.
Born in New Bedford, son of the late Edward and Sophie F. (Rapala) Szlegier and brother of the late Edward R. Szlegier, of New York, he lived in this city for many years before moving to Dartmouth.
Richard was a special person with special gifts of Polish Power, his infectious smile and warm personality to all who came in contact with him. He was always happy and never complaining, just a big smile.
Richard's activities and hobbies were of many. His number one hobby and enjoyment was eating ice cream, especially at Cold Stone Ice Cream, where he created fudge ripple with chocolate chips.
He loved being at home in his own "Man Cave" room, and being with his long-time loving family care providers, Lil and Bob Willett, very special folks "God" provided for Richard. He also took pleasure in spending time with his friends and staff at Project Independence.
Richard enjoyed sports, especially hockey and baseball, and collected key chains from all over the country, special hats that he created, colorful wrist bands and neck chains. He also liked CB Radio and police scanner.
He took joy in reminiscing about his years working at Ring Binder, and his younger years of having good times and getting into trouble with his "Best Buddy", throwing tomatoes, and other mischievous antics they got into. Richard always looked forward to hanging out with his "Best Buddy" cousin, Jim Burgess.
Richard has faded away into the sunset to a special place; he will always be part of and loved by those he leaves behind; Lil and Bob Willett, his care providers; cousin and best buddy, Jim Burgess; his caring cousins, Bob Burgess and June Burgess; and all the lives of the loving and caring people that Richard touched.
His funeral service and burial are private. Arrangements are with Machnowski Funeral Home, 472 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford. For condolences, please visit www.machnowskifuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations are welcomed to Humane Society, HSSSC, 31 Ventura Drive, Dartmouth, MA 02747 or Project Independence, 250 Elm St. New Bedford, Ma 02740.
Born in New Bedford, son of the late Edward and Sophie F. (Rapala) Szlegier and brother of the late Edward R. Szlegier, of New York, he lived in this city for many years before moving to Dartmouth.
Richard was a special person with special gifts of Polish Power, his infectious smile and warm personality to all who came in contact with him. He was always happy and never complaining, just a big smile.
Richard's activities and hobbies were of many. His number one hobby and enjoyment was eating ice cream, especially at Cold Stone Ice Cream, where he created fudge ripple with chocolate chips.
He loved being at home in his own "Man Cave" room, and being with his long-time loving family care providers, Lil and Bob Willett, very special folks "God" provided for Richard. He also took pleasure in spending time with his friends and staff at Project Independence.
Richard enjoyed sports, especially hockey and baseball, and collected key chains from all over the country, special hats that he created, colorful wrist bands and neck chains. He also liked CB Radio and police scanner.
He took joy in reminiscing about his years working at Ring Binder, and his younger years of having good times and getting into trouble with his "Best Buddy", throwing tomatoes, and other mischievous antics they got into. Richard always looked forward to hanging out with his "Best Buddy" cousin, Jim Burgess.
Richard has faded away into the sunset to a special place; he will always be part of and loved by those he leaves behind; Lil and Bob Willett, his care providers; cousin and best buddy, Jim Burgess; his caring cousins, Bob Burgess and June Burgess; and all the lives of the loving and caring people that Richard touched.
His funeral service and burial are private. Arrangements are with Machnowski Funeral Home, 472 Ashley Blvd., New Bedford. For condolences, please visit www.machnowskifuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations are welcomed to Humane Society, HSSSC, 31 Ventura Drive, Dartmouth, MA 02747 or Project Independence, 250 Elm St. New Bedford, Ma 02740.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard E. Szlegier, please visit our floral store.
Services
You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Richard E. Szlegier
© 2026 Machnowski Funeral Home. All Rights Reserved. Funeral Home website by CFS & TA | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Accessibility