Richard A. Scales

Waltham – Mr. Richard Allen Scales, 50, of Waltham, Massachusetts was an accomplished carpenter, a stalwart member of Carpenters' Union, Local 275 of Newton, Massachusetts and an active member of the Massachusetts Democratic Party.

Mr. Scales, who among his other volunteer efforts, used his skills to build ramps for the disabled, volunteer for the YMCA and raise money for diabetes organizations died October 15, 2014 at Dana Farber Cancer Institute/ Brigham and Women's Hospital, in Boston after a brief struggle with cancer leaving his wife, Susan Burstein, daughter, Abigail Burstein Scales, and son, Eric Scales, from a previous marriage, Eric's partner, Jennifer Thibeault, and their daughter, Willow Scales.

"I will remember Rick with his broad smile and his big heart. I think of him as a big Teddy bear of a man," said his friend, Rhonda Bourne.

He was born February 21, 1964 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the beloved son of Samuel Scales and the late Betty (Witham) Scales. He lived in Hampton, Nashua and Hollis, New Hampshire before moving to Massachusetts.

Mr. Scales was a trustee of the executive board and chair of the Volunteer Organizing Committee Local 275. More recently he had become an instructor for the New England Regional Council of Carpenters. He enjoyed sharing his skills and passion with the next generation. He was involved in many charitable efforts, including the local community garden and was politically active, having served as treasurer of the Waltham Democratic City Committee.

In addition to his wife, children, father and granddaughter he leaves his brother and sister-in-law, Brian and Jennifer Scales and their son, Hunter, and, his stepmother, Guli (Maira) Scales. He also leaves his aunts and uncles, Sylvia and Bud Moynahan, Albert and Paula Scales, Robert and Janie Witham, Robert Fisher, and many cousins.

In addition to his mother, Mr. Scales was predeceased by his aunt, Margery Fisher and his cousin, Tony Witham.

A memorial service will be held November 8th at 3 PM at the First Parish Church, 50 Church Street, Waltham.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in memory of Richard Scales to support Dr. Lorch's Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Research at Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284.