J. Richard Fennell

Weston – Mr. J. Richard Fennell, of Weston, East Dennis and Palm Beach, Florida passed away peacefully on July 4th. He was 84 years old.

Dick is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Shirley (Forest) Fennell; his four daughters, Linda M. Fennell of Weston, Kathleen M. Fennell and her wife, Victoria, of Weston, Patricia A. Mordas and her husband, Michael, of Wellesley and Susan E. Forest of Santa Barbara, California and his grandchildren, Nicholas Shea, Alexandra Khoury, Samantha Khoury, Lindsay McEachern, Meghan McEachern, Caitlin Shea, Sophie Fennell, Olivia Fennell and Alexa Mordas.

He was the father of the late David F. Fennell and brother of the late Edward Fennell and Harriet Fennell.

Born on April 7, 1931 in Waltham, he was the son of the late Helen and Edward Fennell. A 1949 graduate of Waltham High, Dick went on to receive his bachelor's degree and master's degree in science from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in 1954 and 1956. After earning his Ph.D. in pharmaceutical chemistry from Purdue University in 1958 Dick worked at Johnson and Johnson followed by McNeil Laboratories, becoming head of pharmaceutical development and clinical production.

After purchasing Moran Pharmaceuticals in Cambridge in 1964 Dick transformed the business in 1968 to Bioran Medical Laboratory, specializing in clinical laboratory testing for hospitals and physicians. Bioran Medical Laboratory would grow to become the largest independent clinical laboratory in New England. In 1994 Dick sold Bioran to Corning, Inc.

In 1982 Dick purchased Thompson's Clam Bar, Snow Inn and the Wychmere Harbor Club in Harwich Port, Cape Cod. He also went on to open Nick and Dick's Ice Cream, the Harbor Watch Room and Thompson's Farm Market.

Dick proudly served as a trustee of MCPHS University, as well as an overseer of the BSO and the MFA. Dick enjoyed being a member of the Weston Golf Club, Eastward Ho! Country Club in Chatham, the Dennis Yacht Club, as well as Club Colette and The Beach Club in Palm Beach, Florida.

Family and friends will honor and remember Dick's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Wednesday, July 8th from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and again on Thursday morning in Saint Julia's Church, 374 Boston Post Road, Weston where his Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Multiple Myeloma Research Fund, Mass. General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114.