WORCESTER— Rich Widak was born in Philadelphia and spent his childhood boating and water skiing on the Delaware, but came to make New England his home. Rich never adopted reserved Eastern manners, but was incorrigibly friendly, gregarious and famously talkative. He was educated at St. Joe’s Prep in Philadelphia and moved to Worcester to graduate from Holy Cross and later, Clark University. He was a dedicated worker in the Voter Registration Project and the Worcester Labor Coop before serving as a city administrator for several decades. He became an enthusiastic supporter of the City of Worcester, followed local politics, and volunteered in city schools. For years he read to children on community reading days.
Rich loved music. He played with a bluegrass band, Steamfoot, and he listened to every kind of music. He got involved in the Joy of Music Program when his son Chris studied there, and he eventually served on the board of directors. For several years he had a weekly jazz show on WCUW.
Rich was wild about sports. He could get emotionally and loudly involved in a game in minutes. He never lost his affection for the Phillies, but shifted allegiance to the Red Sox through thick and thin, rarely missed a Patriot’s game, and made it in to the Boston Garden in the Larry Bird years.
Rich was an excited and dedicated soccer coach in the years when his son was playing, and was following the World Cup matches in the past weeks. He started running in his thirties but quickly started to compete in local road races, and took up bicycling and swimming so that he could compete in triathlons. Once, he finished first (in his age division), a source of pride for years. After recovering from a spinal fusion, he was determined to take advantage of winning a berth in the 100th Boston Marathon. He started training by walking fast, but he completed the marathon in respectable time. His wife, Marilyn Dufresne, his son, Christopher Widak, his mother, Adaline Widak and sister, Regina Koch survive him.
Friends, family and colleagues can meet to honor Rich’s memory at O'CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME on 592 Park Avenue in Worcester on Monday, July 10 from 6-8PM. Visiting hours are 8-9PM friends and family will be sharing memories. We’d be pleased if you made donations in Rich’s memory to the Joy of Music Program, 1 Gorham St., Worcester, MA 01609.