Richard H. Boyd

Waltham – Mr. Richard H. 'Dick' Boyd, of Waltham, died Tuesday, July 31, 2012 in the Eliot Healthcare Center in Natick. He was 85.

Dick was born in Wellesley on November 4, 1926, a son of the late Francis C. and Agnes F. (Healey) Boyd. He was raised in Newton where he attended local schools and from where he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard during World War II.

During the war he began a five year courtship with Waltham native Veronica M. Burke who he married on August 1, 1948 in Saint Charles Borromeo Church in Waltham. The couple moved to Waltham in 1951 where they raised their family and have been residents since.

Dick was trained as a boiler fireman and as an engineer during his Coast Guard years and continued his engineers training after the war. Until his retirement he was in charge of the heating and ventilation systems for the Newton Public Schools.

He also became a locksmith, sign painter and commercial artist having attended Butera Art School in Boston. He was the locksmith for many years at Newton North High School and following his retirement he worked in the Pro Shop at Stow Acres Golf Course and at Butternut Farms Golf Course in Stow.

Dick was a longtime usher at Saint Charles Church and a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge No. 1018, in Waltham. He and Veronica also enjoyed many evenings ballroom dancing and traveling with their dance group friends.

In addition to his wife of sixty-four years, Veronica, he is survived by his daughters, Carol McMahon and her husband, Brian, Barbara Boyd, and Mary Boyd, all of Waltham and Margaret Baranowski and her husband, Conrad, of Westford; his grandchildren, Kevin McMahon and his wife, Tracy, Timothy McMahon and his fiancée, Ashley Daugette, Diana Baranowski and her fiancé, Emil Seremet and Stephanie Baranowski; his great-grandsons, Declan and Bennett McMahon and many nieces and nephews.

Dick was also a brother of the late Francis Boyd, Claire Scafidi, John Boyd and Elizabeth Caruso.

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 Thursday, August 2nd, from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Friday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Charles Borromeo Church, 51 Hall Street, Waltham, where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.