Richard A. "Dick" Hylan

Richard "Dick" A. Hylan, a resident of Billerica/Brooklin, MA, passed away peacefully on the evening of January 16, 2026, at The Branches of Marlborough, surrounded by the love of family and close friends.
Born in the Panama Canal Zone while it was under U.S. control, he was the eldest of seven children to Horace and Shirley (Estes) Hylan. Dick grew up in Wakefield, Massachusetts, near Lake Quannapowitt, in a home filled with a deep appreciation for music. He pursued his passion for music at Lowell State College, majoring in Music Education. It was during his college years that he met his wife, Sharon (Weed) Hylan, who shared his passion as a fellow student and folk singer. Together, they performed in a folk trio across various venues in the Boston area.
Later in life, Dick became an accomplished violist, playing in the Reading and Melrose Symphony Orchestras. He also found joy in acting with several community theater groups, showcasing his talents in musicals. Alongside his music, Dick was an avid college wrestler and served in the Navy enlisted reserves throughout his education at Lowell State.
Upon graduation, Dick became a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy. His first assignment was as a gunnery officer on the USS Oklahoma City, the Navy's first guided missile cruiser and flagship of the Pacific Fleet. During the Vietnam conflict, he coordinated fire support missions for troops in mainland operations. Over 11 years of naval service, he held various positions, including on the USS Butte and USS Compass Island, ultimately concluding his military career as the Commanding Officer of the Naval Reserve Center in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
After his Navy service, the Hylan family settled in Billerica, Massachusetts. Dick successfully earned his MBA and continued to travel the world working with companies in marine and defense industries. Business trips turned into adventures, with Sharon by his side, as they explored cultures and forged friendships in Norway, Italy, and China. He found a welcoming community in several Unitarian Churches, appreciating the open-minded discussions among a diverse congregation. Music was an ever-present joy in his life, as he ensured that his children and grandchildren experienced a variety of musical styles, from classical to jazz and folk, even playing the accordion.
Dick and Sharon had a shared passion for sailing, spending summer weekends and vacations navigating the New England coast in their beloved sloop, 'Lady Joan.' During the off-season, he dedicated time to maintaining and modifying his sailboat, poring over charts to plan new adventures. With a spirit of Yankee frugality and practicality, Dick handcrafted canoe paddles, built boats, and managed his own firewood, cars, and gardens. His hobbies included beekeeping and canning his own honey.
After retiring in 2012, Dick and Sharon fulfilled a lifelong dream of residing in a coastal Maine town, where the soothing sounds of the ocean filled their front porch.
Known for his open and friendly nature, Dick made friends wherever he went. Many of these friends from around the world visited the Hylan home in Billerica. He is remembered as a wonderful mentor, a great role model, and a loving figure to children. He had an exceptional ability to ask the right questions, even when answers eluded him. Committed to his community and the founding ideals of the nation, he embodied kindness and support.
Dick is survived by his beloved wife of over 60 years, Sharon R. Hylan; their son, Richard A. Hylan, his wife Mary; their daughter, Sarah K. Hylan; six grandchildren: Virginia Jenkins, Jack Jenkins, Nathaniel Hylan, James Hylan, Gunnar Erikson, and Drexel Erikson; his siblings Doug, Stephen, Gary, and Marcia Hylan, along with their spouses, and many cherished nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his son, Matthew Hylan, in 1976, and his two younger sisters, Ruthie and Susan, during childhood.
Dick leaves behind a legacy as a faithful son, a caring older brother, a devoted husband, and an attentive father, grandfather, and uncle, fondly remembered by all who knew him.

Visitation will be on Saturday, February 7, 2026 from 2-4 pm in the Short & Rowe Funeral Home, 95 W. Main St., Marlborough, MA.

Burial will be at a later date.