Richard G. “Dick” Petzold, 88, of Nashua, passed away peacefully, Friday morning, May 17, 2024, after a brief illness, with his family at his bedside.
A resident of Nashua for the past 41 years, he was born in Waltham, Massachusetts on June 18, 1935, the eldest son of the late Richard W. and Aline (Dion) Petzold. During his youth, Dick was raised in St. Albans, NY and was a graduate of Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Brooklyn, class of 1953. Shortly after his graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy and proudly served his country for four years. At the time of his honorable discharge in 1957, he had achieved the rank of Aviation Technician Petty Officer First Class. In 1956, while stationed in Derry, Northern Ireland, Dick met his future wife, Agnes Mitchell. It was love at first sight. They were married on October 5, 1957 in Wantagh, NY and were blessed with four daughters. In 1966 the family moved to England, then Germany in 1968. They later returned to the United States and made their home in Pennsylvania, then Virginia, before finally settling in Nashua in 1983.
He began his career in the computer industry with Sperry Univac and continued with Wang Laboratories and EMC Corporation, where he was affectionately referred to as “Mad Dog Petzold” and “The Big Kahuna” respectively. Dick worked in customer service for his entire career, retiring as a vice president in 2000.
In his leisure time, Dick enjoyed fishing and gardening. He took pride in maintaining his impeccable yard. He was an avid reader, enjoyed cooking, watching tennis, the Red Sox and the Patriots. Dick and Agnes enjoyed traveling, especially to Ireland. He was a communicant of the Parish of the Resurrection and held membership in the Horse Pond Fish & Game Club of Nashua.
He had a tough exterior, but a heart of gold. He was a wonderful husband and father, was extremely generous to family and friends, and always wanted to help those in need, especially children.
Dick was predeceased by Agnes, his wife of 54 years, and his brother, Gerard “Butch” Petzold.
He is survived by his partner, Nancy Christie; four loving daughters, Patricia Petzold and her husband Garrett Moore of Bridgewater, NJ, Janice Petzold of Reston, VA, Kathleen Petzold and her partner James Tryhubczak of Cumberland, RI and Geraldine Murphy and her husband Gregg of Hopkinton, MA; seven grandchildren, Kevin Moore and his wife Victoria Steel, Ian Moore and his wife Falon McLaughlin, Victoria Petzold, Kyle Murphy, Hannah Murphy, Dylan Murphy and Keira Murphy; a sister, Charlotte Jayne of Sayville, NY; and nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Tuesday, May 28th from 4 to 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Parish of the Resurrection, 449 Broad Street, Nashua, Wednesday, May 29th at 11 a.m., followed immediately by interment and Navy Funeral Honors in Edgewood Cemetery. All are invited to join us for Dick’s Celebration of Life at Luk’s Bar and Grill, 142 Lowell Road in Hudson, NH directly following the burial. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to the Nashua Children’s Home, 123 Amherst Street, Nashua, NH 03064. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralserivce.com
