Brian Willard Richardson

Brian Willard Richardson

Manhattan, NY - Brian Willard Richardson, 80, of Manhattan, NY, son of Willard Clifton Richardson and Gertrude Seaver Richardson, passed away peacefully on Monday morning, January 5, 2026, after a brief illness.

Brian leaves his beloved partner, Ragnar Naess of Brooklyn, New York; his sisters, Carla Richardson of Harrisville, New Hampshire, Dale Richardson of Malden, Massachusetts, and Elissa Taylor of Purlear, North Carolina; and his nephews and nieces, Joshua Ferry, Madeline Leather, Abigail Leather, and Jonathan Leather. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister, Alayne Richardson, who passed in 2017, and his partner of 21 years, Keith Parker, who passed in 2007.

Brian was a jewelry designer and maker who loved working with gold, silver, bone, semi-precious stones, and beads. His intricate work was museum quality, and it deeply satisfied his creativity. He greatly enjoyed personally selling his pieces at Manhattan and New England juried art shows. His work was in stores and galleries across the country.

Brian was raised in Peterborough, New Hampshire, graduated from Peterborough Consolidated School in 1963, and then attended the Art Institute of Boston.

He helped open and run the jewelry and craft shop Yellow Orange in Falmouth, Massachusetts until 1970. While serving in the U.S. Army and stationed in Germany, he worked as a map illustrator and discovered his passion for jewelry-making at the base craft shop.

Brian lived in Falmouth, Massachusetts; London, England; North Hampton, Massachusetts; Nyack, New York; and ultimately settled in Manhattan in 1980. He created jewelry in his home studio throughout his life, while always making time for friends, family, and the arts, especially museums, the opera, dance, theater, cinema, and cooking beautiful meals. His love of nature in all its forms was an integral part of him. We will always deeply miss our dear partner, brother, uncle, and friend.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.