Richard Paulson, 87 of Mansfield passed peacefully at home on Sunday September 6th surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Brockton MA to Ragnar and Astrid Paulson, the youngest of 6 children. He was always a sports enthusiast and played basketball in high school, church league, U.S. Airforce, even coaching basketball for a time and continued playing himself until age slowed him down. He entered the U.S. Airforce upon graduation from high school, serving in air/sea rescue. He continued his education at the University of Kentucky. In the mid 1960's he married the late Mary Santoro, they built a house in Plainville, and they had four children whom he loved dearly and was so proud of all his life. He had a career with Texas Instruments in Attleboro as quality control manager. In the mid 1970's their marriage ended, he left Texas Instruments, and he became the owner of a hardware store and the building where it was located on north main street in Mansfield. It was during this time that he met his current wife Janet Vigor. They eventually became business partners in the True Value franchise and the real estate and married in 1988.
Their home in Mansfield became the gathering place of decades of parties where friends and family got together every July for the P.P.P.P - Paulson Pool Party Picnic and Christmas parties in December. Generations of "Uncle Dick's" nieces and nephews have fond memories of times spent there. It was also here that he turned most of the cellar of the house into a studio where he created beautiful stained-glass pieces. Many were displayed in their home and many given as gifts over the years. Those works of art will live on as testament of his talent and his generous spirit.
They sold the franchise in 1998 and the building in 2000. Richard then went to work for the Town of Mansfield for the police dept. as parking enforcement officer and assistant animal control. When he retired as an employee of the town of Mansfield, he was then able to devote much more of his time to his very creative, artistic talents. His creative vision and exceptional handy-man skills gave their home an eclectic charm both inside and outside. He volunteered those skills to Mass Arts Center (formerly MMAS) in helping build the fantastic sets for their productions. They honored him for his work in 2019. They sold their home in 2023 and remained in Mansfield.
Richard is predeceased by his siblings Robert Paulson, Donald Paulson, Phyllis Sternlight, Jean Gile and Marion Paulson. He is survived by his wife Janet Vigor, children Beth Paulson, Barbara Paulson and her husband Dan Baginski, Catherine Paulson, Eric Paulson and grandchildren Callan Paulson and Stellen Paulson.
Richard was a shining light, well thought of and loved by many. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and all the lives he touched in the community. He will shine on in all our hearts forever....
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend visiting hours on Saturday Sept. 12th from 2:00 to 5:00 P.M. at the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main Street, Mansfield
In lieu of flowers Richard’s family asks that donations in his memory be made to Friends of Mansfield Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 25, Mansfield, MA 02048 and Mass Arts Center, P.O. Box 1283, Mansfield, MA 02048.
To send his family a message of condolence, please visit www.shermanjackson.com
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