Richard "Rick" Gwosch

1952 - 2024

Richard (Rick) Gwosch

Greenfield, MA - Richard (Rick) F. Gwosch passed away peacefully on October 19, 2024 at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston in the loving arms of his family following a heart attack the week prior.

Rick will be missed and lovingly remembered by his wife Cynthia (Cyn) of 52 years, daughter Jody MacPherson and her husband Scott of Bristol, RI; son Daniel of Lebanon, ME; brother Tony and his wife Donna of Southampton, MA; and sister Mary Kelley and her husband Matt of Wallingford, CT. He also leaves his former daughter-in-law Jessica Gwosch of Jackson, OH.

Rick enjoyed with love and laughter many years vacationing, family get-togethers and explorations with his many brother and sister in-laws, nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews who will always remember him as the fun and adventurous "Uncle Buck."

This world lost a man of character, integrity and purpose. Rick had an easy, encouraging smile, wit and compassion, that he shared every day with those he encountered. Rick was just a likable guy!

Rick was born in Greenfield, MA on April 4, 1952 to Arlene (Herzig) and Frank Gwosch. He spent his early life having adventures with his gang of friends playing baseball, scouting and later working in the tobacco fields. Never far away were his younger siblings, Tony and Mary, often staying out in the neighborhood until the last moment of light before the bell rang for them to come home for dinner.

Rick graduated from Greenfield High School in 1970 and attended Greenfield Community College. Always a hard worker and eager to learn, he started at a young age driving truck for Rugg Lumber Company. He learned cabinet making at Rugg's Mill and advanced to sales and management in the millwork trade for over 52 years. Some of the places that will remember him fondly are Millwork Supply/Pella, Brockway Smith Co, Howe Lumber, Leader Lumber and Cowl's Building Supply. He continued to volunteer after retirement at Cowl's for Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity. This was a project that meant a great deal to him.

Rick and Cindy (Neipp) were married in 1972 and joyfully celebrated the arrival of their daughter Jody. Always striving to provide a secure home and future for their family, Rick and Cindy bought their first home in Orange. Their family expanded and Daniel arrived in 1982. They returned to Greenfield where they raised their family, in a home they lovingly referred to as the "Leave It to Beaver" house in the neighborhood. Just simply being a Dad gave Rick the most joy in his life, actively being involved in Jody and Dan's formative years showed with pride and complete love for them. Whether it was school activities, music & dance lessons, YMCA, scouting, the many, many sports teams, the hiking, the biking, learning to drive, he was there. In the later years, the home projects would begin. From completely renovating Jody's first house to helping Scott with window replacement in RI, to landscaping, home improvements, and building decks and stairs at every one of Dan's deployment locations. Rick was more than willing to take care of the projects for and with his kids. All great memories and good times to look back upon for us all. Like Rick always said - with every new home project one must have a new tool to work with, the Makita Company surely would agree!

Back in 2009 to honor his son's military service and to fulfill a need to help others, Rick went back to school and earned his RN from Vermont Technical College. The pride showed in his mother's eyes as she was chosen to pin him at the graduation ceremony which was her alma mater as well. He went on to work in local nursing homes dedicating his nursing skills and his natural compassion to to be a part of an elder's life care.

Rick loved being a nurse and it suited both his love for science and caring for others. He was well liked by his patients and staff, especially his best friend/co-worker Teddy Ruth at The Buckley.

A highlight and fulfilling part of his career was to volunteer and continue work at the Zon Covid Clinic in Greenfield soon after the vaccine was approved. He teamed up with his sister in law Robin and they spent many hours together at the clinic tag teaming each other, making a difference for folks during a difficult time in our history. He remained a member of the Medical Reserve Corps.

Staying physically active was one of Rick's ways to enjoy life and also spend time with family and friends. He loved biking, kayaking, skiing and walking the beach with Cyn. Walking his best canine friend, Cooper, many miles was part of Rick's daily routine around Greenfield, Turners Falls and their beloved home in Ogunquit, Maine. Rick, Cyn and Cooper this past spring enjoyed an adventurous month-long camping trip in their Airstream on a multistate visit through NY, PA, VA, NC, SC and TN. It was a retirement dream realized, always finding and hiking the Appalachian Trail. This summer Rick enjoyed a backpacking trip with Dan and Scott on the Long Trail through Vermont. Throughout his life he spent many memorable hikes and backpacking adventures along Tuckerman's Ravine and Mt. Washington with family and friends but none better than the times spent on Father's Day/Dan's birthday together backpacking along those mountains. It was his favorite place of all. Rick was a passionate reader, sometimes having three books going at one time, absolutely loved history, and who frequented many libraries taking recommendations from the staff, whom he treasured.

There was never a home project that was not underway. Rick took pride in his workmanship and loved working alongside his "Manager" Cyn. Most recently, he was working on a kitchen redo at the house in Maine that Cyn will finish and make him proud in his memory.

We send our sincere appreciation and thankfulness to Ogunquit EMS, Portsmouth Regional Medical Center, in Portsmouth, NH and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston for their expert, compassionate and kind care to Rick and our family.

A Celebration of Life for Rick will be held on November 22, 2024 at 10 AM at St.'s James and Andrew Church, 8 Church Street, Greenfield.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Rick's name to:

Homes for our Troops

6 Main Street

Taunton, Mass 02780

www.hfotusa.org

Home Base Veteran Family Care

125 Nashua Street, Suite 540

Boston, MA 02114

www.homebase.org