Name: Visitation for RICHARD H. NOLAN
Start: 2015-10-30T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2015-10-31T00:00:00.000Z
Location: John C. Bryant Funeral Home

NOLAN, Richard H., Jr. 72, of Wayland formerly of Weston and West Roxbury died on Tuesday, October 27, 2015. Beloved son of the late Richard H. Nolan, Sr. and Audrey Marie (White) Nolan. Loving brother of Audrey A. Galvin of Dover; Robert "Tony" Nolan and his wife Beth Nolan of Weston; M. Teresa Nolan and her husband Scott R. McDowell of Natick and the late Mary F. Hanlon. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Richard received his BA in Finance from Boston College and his funeral service education from New England Institute in Boston. For many years, he taught funeral service education at Mount Ida College in Newton. He had a long and distinguished career as a funeral director and embalmer and was associated with the Thomas Lyons Funeral Home of Newton; P.E. Murray Funeral Home of West Roxbury, F.J. Higgins Funeral Home of Roslindale and Schlossberg - Solomon Chapels of Canton. Richard was an accomplished musician, composer and lead singer with Third Rail who traveled and entertained along the Northeastern seaboard, Boston and New York area. He also produced several albums. He was a member of ASCAP and BMI and a former member of the Irish Christian Brothers. Visitations will be held on Friday, October 30, 2015 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at the John C. Bryant Funeral Home, 56 Pemberton Road (Off Rte 30), WAYLAND. Family and friends may gather at the funeral home on Saturday, October 31, 2015 at 9:00 am followed by his Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 an at St. Julia Parish, 374 Boston Post Road, Weston. Interment to follow in the Nolan family lot in Linwood Cemetery, Weston. For those who desire, memorial gifts in Richards memory may be sent to Bridge Over Troubled Waters, 47 West Street, Boston, MA 02111. For condolences & directions visit

johncbryantfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Boston Globe from Oct. 27 to Oct. 28, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for RICHARD NOLAN

32 Entries

Geoff K Belle Isle

April 20, 2024

Richard was a good friend of mine from the time I was 15,Worked on many music projects and recorded with my band a few times in Needham with Scott and Jay Couper when he was in need of musical assistance,Many nights at the Rat in Kenmore square performing with his band'Third Rail'So many good times and good people surrounded Richard,A kind soul and dear friend,Met Lou Reed and Richard set that up for me.Miss you Richard.Gone to that great gig in the sky,Keep on rocking bro.

Tom Johnson

October 21, 2020

Thought of often.

Liz Ireland

December 8, 2016

I only just found out about this. Deepest condolences to Richard's family.

My fondest memory of him was the lovely dinner parties he threw with a wide, wide range of friends and acquaintances. One time I asked if I could bring anything to the next one, and he asked very specifically for me to bring asparagus in bechamel sauce. Now, I don't cook, but if he was going to throw down like that, no way was I not hitting back. Took me 2 days and SEVEN tries, but he got his asparagus in bechamel sauce! Pretty good, too, if I may say. And he forced me to learn a new skill.

Godspeed, Richard, you'll be missed.

P.S. I took the photo of Richard and Willie "Loco" Alexander that appears on Willie's website, in a club on the South Shore in 1975 or 1976.

Bob L

July 15, 2016

I am sorry to hear about Rich, it is hard to believe he has left us he died 2 days after my sister in law, I usually stay on top of the obits, but was consumed with grief. I wish I could have said good bye. I had known Rich for over 30yrs. He was truly a gentlemen, He carried himself like one too , great great person. I loved listening to his story's, he was never a bragger, always a matter of fact. I like being around him, I hoped he enjoyed my friendship too. Its very sad when someone great like Rich leaves us. If there is a rock and roll heaven or just a heaven, you'll get a backstage pass. RIP Rich, I will miss you.

Bob L.

Charlestown, Ma

Peter Crowley

December 27, 2015

Goodbye, Richard. It was great knowing you. RIP

Sandra Rose

November 24, 2015

My heart is sad. Rest In Peace, Richard!

Tom Johnson

November 13, 2015

Dear Tony and Family,

I am so sorry I could not be with you for Richard's services. I have known Richard over 35 years. He was an awesome person and talented vocalist and Boston legend. He will be greatly missed.

Tom Noble

November 2, 2015

Dear Nolan Family.....I am sorry to hear about Richard's passing..... My brothers and I used to do yard work at Richard's parents home in Weston back in the seventies, I remember that Richard was a very kind, interesting, and soulful person. He used to take a few minutes to talk with me about his band - Third Rail. Everytime for the past 35 years that I see a seventies Dodge Charger, I think of Richard's gold and white one. I also remember when he would tell me not to look in the back of his Chevy station wagon because he has a body in the back.....never knew if he was teasing me! A very special man indeed!! RIP Richard!

Jon Macey

November 2, 2015

It is actually the truth that Richard really cared about people. He looked out for me.

Rick Coraccio

November 1, 2015

We weren't good friends. I only know him because I am also a musician, occasionally bumping into him at gigs, but he always took the time to talk to me. I thought that was nice. It's a little thing, I know, but that is how I remember Richard: as a nice guy.

October 31, 2015

Truly sorry to have lost a great friend, wonderful musician, and sweet spirit. My condolences to the family. Sincerely, David Birmingham. Drummer

Gary Fine

October 31, 2015

My condolences to Richard's family. I connected with Richard several years ago in the funeral business. We discovered a common interest of the alternative Boston local music scene in the 70's & 80's. Richard had a wonderful disposition and I loved hearing his stories about Third Rail and his small dog Kalani as well..

Ron Scarlett

October 30, 2015

I knew Richard since the late 70s. He was a pioneer of the Boston rock scene. He was a friendly and generous man with a true rock & roll heart. He will be missed.

Mary Anne Conboy

October 30, 2015

Dick Nolan and his family were neighbors on Vermont Street. He was a friend of my brother, John's, and they were in the Novitiate together in the Christian Brothers. Mr. Nolan Sr. was my mother's attorney and Tony represented the Nolan family at my mother's funeral in 2003. After my dad's wake in 1965, Dick came back to our house and did magic tricks in the basement to help John, Louise, and me deal with our loss. I have never forgotten that kindness. Dick was a character with a special sense of what was helpful. Rest in peace.

Mike Burggren

October 29, 2015

Richard was the first person I met when I walked into a bar called The Bar. He joked that I was soaking wet but looked like I needed a drink. A friendship of many decades formed that rainy night in the late Seventies.

Richard was steadfast. A dear and gentle soul. His always cheery outlook brought out the best in me and others.

Richard knew the secret of simplicity and kept it uncomplicated. Scores of memories are on flashback. I'm smiling with each recollection. Shining brightly through all is his goodness. I'll miss his good heart.

Zeke

October 28, 2015

God Bless you Uncle Dick!!
I'll always remember sneaking a smoke with you at Grammys.

October 28, 2015

Good Bless you Uncle Dick.. I will always remember sneaking a smoke at Grammys...
Z2

Deirdre Maxted

October 28, 2015

Richard was a very special friend and I enjoyed visiting him on my weekly run. I have missed him these past weeks and he will be someone I will remember always especially for his sunny disposition. His little dogs were the light of his life and showed Richard lots of love. He adored them back. Mahalo Richard.

Richard and Jon Macey 1975

Jon Macey

October 28, 2015

Richard was such a great guy and a dear friend of mine since the 1970s. I always admired his talents. Goodnight Sweet Prince.

John Heckscher

October 28, 2015

I so enjoyed delivering meals to Dick on my Wednesday routes. He would almost always be outside waiting for me, and we would converse about many things, always about his little white dog, Kilani,and when her next appointment with the vet would be. I was perhaps as heartbroken as he was when she died, and though it took some time I was just as delighted as he was when he found another look-alike!

He hadn't been on my route recently, and I wondered what had happened, so I was shocked this morning when I heard the sad news. It was a special privilege to have known him, and to have had him as a friend.

D I

October 28, 2015

D I

October 28, 2015

So long dear Icon

Bill O'Neill

October 28, 2015

Although I haven't seen Dick in a number of years, I was looking forward to seeing him at our College Reunion in June. We had some good times, back in our younger days.
Go Gently,

Jack Morgan

October 28, 2015

I am deeply saddened by the loss of Richard, and I offer my most sincere condolences to his family. Richard and I were musical collaborators together. I played in his band for several years, wrote and co-wrote many of his songs, and produced a number of his records in the 80's. It was a fun and productive time for us both. He was a most creative and unique man, and I shall miss him. I wish you peace, my friend.

David Feeley

October 28, 2015

Worked with Richard in the Funeral Business years back. Rest In That Eternal Peace.

Corrie Goodwin

October 28, 2015

Mr. Nolan was one of my favorite professors at Mt. Ida (class of 99). I remember his passion for teaching and dedication to his students. He will be missed by many.

Mike Flynn

October 28, 2015

Aloha Richard Nolan ...... Ciao for now!!!!!!

Mike Flynn; NEI 93-96`

October 28, 2015

A line from "bridge over troubled water" is
"your time has come to shine"
applies to the good times with
Richard Nolan. Like the night we went to
Symphony Hall to see and hear "The Limeliters" We even went backstage.
Richard was a shining example of a
good friend.
My good friend.

My condolences to his family.

Richard Sullivan
formerly with
Sullivan Funeral Home
Brighton, MA

Lisa Smith

October 27, 2015

I was a student of his at Mt. Ida college in the 90's. He was a fun teacher and I learned a lot from him. I am so sorry for your loss and I will keep his family in my prayers.

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