~~Benjamin Robert Richardson, 84, of Newark, Short Hills, and recently of Cranford, New Jersey went to be with his Lord on Wednesday, June 7, 2017.
Ben was born in Newark, N.J. on June 5th, 1933; the second youngest of five children born to Percy Richardson and Lina Bishop. His sisters Lina Richardson, Delia Catena, and brothers, Roger and Percy Richardson have all predeceased him.
He attended Wilson Avenue Grammar School and graduated from Newark Technical High School in 1951 where he studied photography. After graduation from high school, he was employed by RCA in Harrison, NJ, and worked there until his employment was interrupted by the US Army Draft in 1953. After the Army, he returned to RCA until he was hired as a Newark Fireman in 1959 — retiring in 1985.
In addition to being a fireman, Ben spent over thirty years doing professional photography. Through his photography endeavors, he would meet his wife Peggy Burns in 1962. They married on December 12, 1965 in Sacred Heart Church in Newark, and had four children.
Through listening to a Christian Radio program he found his way to Evangel Baptist Church in Springfield, where he accepted the Lord Jesus as his personal Savior and served thereafter for His glory. He enjoyed his endearing friendships in Evangel and served as an usher and a greeter for thirty years. Upon closure of Evangel church, he joyfully joined the family of the First Baptist Church of Millburn.
Treasuring his memory are his wife Peggy, son Ben and his wife Kendra, daughter Jennifer, son Paul and his wife Kelli and their son Kyle, and his son David. Also treasuring his memory are his loving nieces and nephews, who provided loving care in his time of need.
The viewing will be on Saturday, June 10, 2017, from 9 – 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Millburn, 132 Spring Street, Millburn, NJ, 07041. A service to celebrate Ben’s life will follow at 11:00a.m. (There is additional parking across the street from the church at the Wells Fargo Bank.)
Internment will be on Wednesday June 14, 2017 at 11:30 AM at the Holy Cross Cemetery, 840 Cranberry-South River Road, South Brunswick/Jamesburg,, NJ. 732-463-1424.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Children’s Specialized Hospital in Mountainside, NJ. 150 New Providence Rd, Mountainside, NJ 07092