Tranfaglia, Richard “Dick” 86, of Brewster formerly of of Needham, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, October 12. Dick lived his life. Professionally, he thrived during the heyday of photographic innovation at the Polaroid Corporation where, in his role as an engineer, he was an integral part of the revolutionary moves inventor Edwin Land pioneered. He proudly retired as a beloved member of the Senior Technical Management Team. He approached everything that mattered to him with much care, discipline and creativity, including his many hobbies. He excelled at woodworking, designing and building beautiful furniture pieces for his family and friends; his deep love of music made him a jazz aficionado; and his training as an engineer led him to be the consummate ‘fixer-of-everything’. His loyalty, generosity and sense of humor attracted many, many friends into his life. He was always ready for a friendly, spirited, round of card playing, tennis, or golf.
Dick’s generosity extended to his community, both Needham, where he lived until the early years of retirement and then Brewster, where he resided for almost 15 years. As a member of Needham’s Exchange Club, he organized a jazz concert to raise funds for the Child Abuse Prevention Center, spearheaded a project to construct the DeFazio Tot Lot with handicap accessibility, and participated in the planning of the annual 4th of July fireworks. In Brewster, he was an active member of a neighborhood association that maintained and enhanced the appearance and social aspects of the area.
Dick was predeceased by his wife of 43 years, Theresa (Flaherty) Tranfaglia; his son, Paul; his mother, Mary (Morelli) Tranfaglia; his father, Joseph Tranfaglia; his brother, Joseph Tranfaglia, Jr.; and his sister, Virginia Pepperine.
He leaves his loving wife of 14 years, Carol Regenauer; his son, Richard Tranfaglia and his wife, Erika Alvarez, of Southborough, MA; his daughter, Carol Tranfaglia and her husband, Timothy Osborne, of Woodinville, WA; his son, Robert Tranfaglia and his wife, Loretta, of Medway, MA. He also leaves two grandchildren, Joshua and Julia Tranfaglia of Medway, MA; his brother, Walter Tranfaglia of Weymouth, MA; his sister, Beverly Tranfaglia Short of Westwood, MA; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral Service in the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 1305 Highland Ave. Needham, Tuesday October 20th at 11:30am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Visiting hours Monday in the funeral home from 3-7pm. Interment in St. Mary Cemetery, Needham. In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made in Dick’s memory to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Women’s Cancer Research, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445.