Richard Paul D’Alessandro Jr., 53, unexpectedly passed away on September 4th, 2026, at his residence in Burlington, Massachusetts. Born January 8th, 1973, in Medford, Massachusetts, Richard was the son of the late Richard D’Alessandro Sr. and Lenore D’Alessandro.

A lifelong Catholic and graduate of Medford High School, Richard followed in his father’s footsteps in the family business, providing plumbing, heating, and contracting services throughout the North Shore for decades. He also held a deep interest in the medical field, which he studied while running his company.

But a list of jobs and accomplishments could never really explain Richard.

He was a smaller guy with a personality that seemed seven feet tall. He was larger than life, and his presence was impossible to miss. Richard was funny, loud, stubborn, fiercely protective, and never shy about letting you know exactly what was on his mind. His temper was well known to those closest to him. He could yell, cool down, apologize, and five minutes later carry on as though nothing had happened.

That was Richard. He loved hard, worried hard, laughed hard, and cared deeply about the people who belonged to him.

And then there was his laugh. Long, loud, drawn out, and unmistakable, it could take over a room. He loved telling stories, busting chops, and making the people around him laugh.

Richard loved the best of the best. Cars, sneakers, hats, and watches were among his favorites, and when Richard liked something, he wanted the good stuff. More importantly, he wanted the same for his family. Whether through a gift, fixing something, cooking a meal, or simply making sure everyone was taken care of, providing for the people he loved was one of the ways Richard showed his love.

As a young man, Richard married Luisa Barone, with whom he shared more than two decades of his life and raised their two children, Joseph and Brianna. Though life eventually led them down separate paths, the bond built over those many years was never forgotten. Richard and Luisa remained friends and stayed in contact throughout his life. He always cherished the relationship they shared and the family they created together.

Of everything in Richard’s life, nothing made him prouder than his children. Joseph and Brianna were his greatest source of pride and, when life became difficult, his motivation to keep moving forward. He took tremendous pride in the people they became, their accomplishments, and the families they built. He loved them unconditionally, worried about them constantly, and protected them fiercely.

Then came another role he cherished deeply: “Papa Rick.”

His grandchildren, Michael Jr., Dante, Dakota, and Domenic, meant the world to him. Being their Papa brought him tremendous joy, and the time he spent with them became especially precious during the final months of his life.

As Richard’s health declined, he moved to North Carolina, where the warmer weather was easier on him. His sister Lee and nephew Nicholas welcomed him with open arms, giving him a comfortable home while he continued dialysis treatments. They took him everywhere with them, and Richard treasured his time there, especially watching Nicholas play hockey and spending time on the lake.

In June, Richard returned home for his nephew Anthony’s wedding. What began as a trip home for a family celebration became one of the happiest memories of the final months of his life.

Richard cherished that night and talked about it often afterward. He loved reminiscing about how perfect everything had been, but one memory stayed especially close to his heart: seeing his sister Sheri dressed for her son’s wedding. Seeing his sister looking so beautiful put a smile on Richard’s face that his family had not seen in years. For one night, he seemed able to forget about his declining health and simply soak it all in—the celebration, the laughter, and his family together. He was completely present, and completely happy.

When the wedding was over, Richard made a decision his family will forever be grateful for.

He stayed.

Rather than returning to North Carolina, Richard chose to live with his daughter and remain close to his children and grandchildren. No one knew then that the decision would give them the final three months of his life together.

Those months were filled with trips to the mall, dinners out, sporting events, Sunday dinners, barbecues, conversations, jokes, and simply being together. Things that seemed ordinary at the time have now become some of the family’s most treasured memories.

Perhaps none is more meaningful than a family trip to Weirs Beach just two weeks before Richard passed away. He spent the day with his son Joseph, daughter Brianna, daughter-in-law Kristie, and all four of his grandchildren. They took countless pictures, shared what felt like a million laughs, and Papa Rick was able to give Dakota her birthday gift for her second birthday.

Nobody there knew they were creating some of their final memories with him.

At the time, it was simply a beautiful day together. Looking back, it feels like a lifetime of memories packed into a few precious hours—a final gift none of them knew they were being given.

Richard loved cooking and feeding the people around him. If he cooked for you, he wanted to know that you liked it, that you had enough, and that you were leaving full. Like so many things with Richard, food was another way of taking care of the people he loved.

Richard was not perfect, and those closest to him knew it. He could be complicated and stubborn, and his temper could be every bit as big as his personality. But even when Richard did not always express himself perfectly, there was never much question about what was underneath it. He cared deeply and loved fiercely. His family was at the center of his world.

Richard’s life ended much sooner than anyone was prepared for. There is comfort, however, in knowing that some of his final months were also among his happiest—celebrating Anthony’s wedding, seeing Sheri beaming beside her son, coming home to his children, spending everyday moments with his grandchildren, and sharing one unforgettable day together at Weirs Beach.

In the end, Richard was exactly where he had chosen to be: home, surrounded by his children and grandchildren, making memories with the people he loved most.

His family will miss his stories, his cooking, his unsolicited advice, his stubbornness, the yelling that was often followed shortly afterward by an apology, and the unmistakable sound of that long, contagious laugh filling the room.

More than anything, they will miss Papa Rick.

Richard was predeceased by his parents, Richard D’Alessandro Sr. and Lenore D’Alessandro. He is survived by his sisters, Lenore Meyer and Sheri Calcagni; his son, Joseph D’Alessandro and his wife, Kristie D’Alessandro; his daughter, Brianna D’Alessandro and son-in-law, Michael Brancato; his beloved grandchildren, Michael Jr., Dante, Dakota, and Domenic; and his nephews, Nicholas, Alessio, and Anthony. He is also remembered by Luisa Barone, with whom he shared more than twenty years, two children, and a lifelong friendship.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 1st, 2026, at St. Patrick’s Church in Stoneham, Massachusetts. Family and friends are invited to attend. All are welcome.

Assisting the family with arrangements is the Cremation Society of NH, Nashua. To view Richard’s Online Tribute, send condolences to the family, or for more information, visit www.csnh.com.