Paul J. Richardson
Of Silver Spring, MD, passed away on December 24, 2015 surrounded by a loving family. Throughout his journey with cancer, Paul never lost his sense of humor, positive energy, and gratitude for living a wonderful life. Paul was the fourth of eight children to Constance “Connie” Richardson (née Farro) and the late Major John A. Richardson Sr., of Havre de Grace, MD. Paul was born in Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, on November 24, 1960. He and his siblings were “Army brats,” living on military bases in Germany, South Korea, and other locations before settling in Edgewood, MD, upon their father”s retirement from the U.S. Army. Paul graduated from Edgewood High School in 1979 and the University of Maryland, College Park in 1983. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration. Paul was president of his fraternity, Theta Chi, during his senior year and remained active in the university”s and fraternity”s alumni associations. He was a proud and dedicated Terps fan his entire adult life, and his “frat” brothers were the source of great times and much laughter, and remained his best friends. After graduation, Paul began a successful career in mortgage banking, most recently with SunTrust Mortgage, where he was Vice President and Branch Manager based in Greenbelt, MD. One of his early work colleagues was Elizabeth “Liz” Sullivan (née Gibeault), the love of his life. Paul married Liz on October 10, 1992. Paul and Liz raised two wonderful children: Emily Grace “Em”, a 2015 graduate of University of Maryland, College Park, and John Alden III, a high school senior at St. Anselm”s Abbey School in Washington, DC. Paul and Liz raised their children in Silver Spring, MD, with a vacation home in Chestertown, MD (aka, the “River House”). Paul was a communicant of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Silver Spring. Nothing meant more to Paul than his family and friends, with his wife and children being his greatest source of love, pride, and happiness. Paul and Liz were consummate hosts, entertaining their extended families and Paul”s fraternity brothers, as well as, many other friends they gathered along the way. The River House became their special place and the site of countless visitors and lasting memories. In addition to his wife, children and mother, Paul is survived by two sisters, Rosanne “Sandy” Mosberg and her husband, David of Highland, MD and Marian Stewart and her husband, Gary of Forest Hill, MD. Paul is also survived by five brothers, John Alden-Richardson “Jack” of Washington, DC, James “Jim” and his wife, Michelle of Joppa, MD, Thomas “Tom” and his wife, Susan of Hayward, WI, Robert “Bob” of Edgewood and his fiancée, Stavroula “Stav” Tsoukalas of Wilmington, DE and David and his wife, Rayna of Bel Air, MD. On his side of the family alone, Paul had 16 nephews and nieces, and eight great-nephews and great-nieces. Paul will be remembered for his friendly disposition, quick wit, generosity, humility, and energy. Whether at work, performing chores at home, mentoring his children, boating, crabbing, fishing, hunting, golfing, or entertaining family and friends, Paul was always on the go. And, no matter what he was doing, he conducted himself with a laid back style, combined with a warm smile and frequent jokes. For these reasons and many more, Paul is loved tremendously and will be missed very dearly. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 from 2 to 3 p.m., at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Silver Spring, MD, followed immediately by a Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Paul”s life. Interment will follow in the spring at Harford Memorial Gardens, Havre de Grace, MD, where, someday, he will be joined by most of his loving brothers and sisters, who have chosen to be beside him in death, as well as life. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Paul”s name may be made to the Children”s Inn of NIH. Donations can be made online at childrensinn.org or by mailing a check to 7 West Drive, Bethesda, MD 20814-1509.
