Stephen George Rich, 71

Stephen George Rich of Wareham, a retired corrections officer, Vietnam-era veteran, and beloved family man, passed away November 16, 2024, at the age of 71. Born in Brockton and raised in Bridgewater, Steve was the son of the late Sabina (Piscitelli) and George Rich. After graduating from Bridgewater-Raynham High School, Steve enlisted with the United States Army, serving in Germany and earning multiple commendations.

 

After being honorably discharged, Steve went on to earn his associate’s degree in business management at Fisher College and began his career as a corrections officer at Massachusetts Correctional Institution-Cedar Junction, formerly known as MCI-Walpole. Steve ultimately transferred to MCI-Southeastern in Bridgewater, where he spent the rest of his career. Steve always had multiple jobs, and his most rewarding ones were where he got to work with people he loved—including at Apazidis Family Restaurant in Middleboro, where he talked with customers while also helping in the kitchen, and Aqua Vision, where he provided professional aquarium maintenance services to both residential and commercial clients throughout the region.

 

While Steve was incomparably diligent in his work, his family and friends knew him as being exceptionally kindhearted and full of personality. Steve would do anything for his family. He loved

fishing and shell fishing; old classic cars, especially his 1968 Ford Galaxie; 1970s rock music and live concerts (who doesn’t love Grand Funk Railroad?!); and enjoying good food and drinks with great company. As his fiancé Charlet often said to him, Steve was “a good man.” Steve was exceptionally patient, always generous with others—even if comically frugal in spending on himself—and rarely fought to get his own way. He cared well for and deferred to those around him, often seeing the happiness of his loved ones as more important than his own preferences. 

 

Steve is survived by his fiancé Charlet Sherman of Middleboro and his sons and daughters in law Jeffrey (Sheila) of Middleboro, Ryan (Lindsay) of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Joseph of Wareham. He was the brother of Patricia McManus of Middleboro and Diane McConnon of Houston, Texas. Steve is also survived by four grandchildren: Anzo, Grayson, Jada, and Macy Rich. He was an uncle to numerous nieces and nephews and cousin to a broad network of Italian family across the country.

 

Visiting hours will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, December 6, at O’Neill Funeral Home, 59 Peirce Street in Middleboro and a funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, December 7, at 11:00am. A private burial will occur at Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, where Steve will receive a military veteran’s burial nearby to his father, George Rich, a Navy veteran of World War II.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org

 

To offer your condolences online, please visit our website:  www.oneillfuneral.com