Richard Peter Hyland

Richard Peter Hyland, age 93, passed away peacefully in the Doolittle Home in Foxborough on Thursday, February 20, 2020.  Born in Greenwich, Connecticut on October 5, 1926, he was the son of the late George and Martha (Durkin) Hyland and the brother of the late George Hyland and Peter Hyland.  He was raised in Greenwich and graduated from Greenwich High School,  Class of 1944.  Following his graduation, Richard enlisted in the United States Navy, proudly serving his country during World War II.  He was trained to be a radio gunner on dive bomber planes.  Following the war, he studied electrical engineering at the University of Notre Dame, graduating in 1950.

 

Richard married his beloved wife, Joyce Kinross, on July 1, 1950 in Saint Cecilia’s Church in Stamford, CT.  The young couple made their home together in several places, having to move every 6 weeks as part of the Westinghouse training program.

 

They very much wanted to start a family and in 1951, Linda, their first child, was born, followed by Patricia, Jim, Peggy, Jerry and Teri.  For most of their lives, they resided in Walpole, first at Morningside Drive and then at 448 Washington Street.  Many shared moments were spent at their home there, including playing pickup football games, Kick-the-Can, family Sunday times, swimming in the pool, holiday celebrations and much more.  As the family grew with grandchildren, he was known for keeping his license plate up-to-date, with the last one being “Papa 16” – for his 16 grandchildren.   

 

Richard left his mark in so many ways – as a family man, a devout Catholic, church supporter, good friend and contributor to the community.  He started his own business as a manufacturer’s representative and then added the design and building of electrical control panels.  He was known for his character, honesty and work ethic.  Some of his projects were incredibly complex, and he would spend hours designing the systems before his employees would build the control panels in his shop. 

 

His contributions to the community were impactful.  He started the St. Mary’s Parish Council in East Walpole, and at other points in time, ran the Knights of Columbus and the Boston Notre Dame Alumni Club.  In addition, he brought sandwiches into the Pine Street Inn and supported many charitable causes.     

 

He was the beloved husband of the late Joyce Kinross Hyland and loving father of Patricia Travers and her late husband, Robert, of Walpole, Jim Hyland and his wife, Lori, of Tewksbury, Peggy Barnett and her husband, Fread, of Seekonk, Jerry Hyland and his wife, Brenda, of Pelham, New Hampshire, Teri Shipp and her husband, Jon, of Westwood, and the late Linda Murphy and her surviving husband, Jim, of California.  He was the cherished grandfather of 16 and great grandfather of 6 children. 

 

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Richard’s Life Celebration on Sunday, February 23, 2020 from 2 to 6 PM and Monday, February 24, 2020 from 9 to 9:20 AM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Mary’s Church, 58 Carpenter Street, Foxborough on Monday, February 24, 2020 at 10:00 AM.  Interment will follow in Rock Ridge Cemetery in Sharon.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Pine Street Inn, Attn: Shelli Hezekiah, 444 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA  02118.