Richard W. Leard

Richard W. Leard, of Waltham, died at home on Saturday, September 20, 2025 following a period of declining health. He was 78.

Dick was born in Boston on June 18, 1947, a son of the late Dr. Samuel E. and Edna M. (Rideout) Leard. He was a 1965 graduate of Waltham High School and four years later earned his bachelor’s degree from Boston University.

After college, Dick served with the United States Army and spent more than a year in Vietnam as a member of the 101st Airborne Division.

Following his discharge from the service he came home to Waltham where he remained a lifelong resident.

In August, 1972 he married the love of his life, Waltham native Jane C. Welch and the pair enjoyed forty-seven years together before Jane’s death in July, 2019.

Until his retirement Dick worked for years as a security officer for Securitas.

Music was always important to Dick from his early years being a local disc jockey to performing karaoke in his later years. He belonged to the Camera Club at the Waltham Senior Center and enjoyed watching minor league baseball. Dick was also a longtime volunteer with the Meals on Wheels program sponsored by the Waltham Senior Center.

He leaves his children, Jennifer A. McCafferty (David) of Berlin and Thomas S. Leard (Kim Mahoney) of Reading; his grandchildren, Matthew McCafferty, Amelia Olszewski and Luke Leard; his brother, John S. Leard (Elaine) of Venice, Florida; his sister-in-law, Ann Purcell of Auburndale and several nieces, nephews and their families.

Dick was also a brother of the late Barbara Norris and brother-in-law of the late Sr. Margaret Welch, SND and E. Joan Mente.

Family and friends will honor and remember Dick's life by gathering for an Afternoon Wake in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Sunday, September 28th from 2 to 5 p.m. and again on Monday morning when his Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.