Richard Calla

Birth date: Apr 12, 1941 Death date: Jul 10, 2021

Richard Ernest Calla, 80, resided in Somerville, MA. Sadly, he passed away in Methuen, MA, at the Nevin’s Nursing and Rehab Center on July 10, 2021. Richard Arthur Ruzzo came into existence on April 12, 1941. His adoption took pla Read Obituary

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Methuen Family Funeral Home

233 Lawrence Street, Methuen MA 01844

978-687-7300

Graham Rae

253w ago

Larger than life, his attitude, mile and laughter made my life better. We did the same job and his was more fun for all and way more efficient. I am a better guy for having known you.

Mike Casella

254w ago

Very sad to hear to hear of Richie's passing. He was the catalyst for the good times we all had at CB&T, especially at 350 Broadway. The operations department in the middle 70's, under his leadership was an experience I have never forgotten. There are many great memories about Richie, here are a few: He was the leader of the bank's softball team, he convinced the bank to buy us all green baseball jackets, our names on the sleeve, and on the front, CB&T with 2 bats/base ball (I still have and wear mine), 2 expressions he said many times 'I'm in the twilight of a mediocre career' 'unaccustomed as I am to public speaking', he offered his bar, JR's in Beverly, as a place to hold our first CB&T reunion....what a time it was, and he coordinated tickets/etc for a boxing simulcast from Las Vegas at the old Garden for bunch of us. Everyone loved Richie and he will be missed. Rest in peace big guy. 'You were one of the good guys' .
Mike Casella

Charlie Sherman

254w ago

So sorry to hear of Richie’s passing. He is the one that hired me to work at Commonwealth Bank in 1972. As mentioned in another memory, Richie was larger than life. I have so many great memories of Richie holding Court at Bank functions be it at the legendary Christmas Parties of which he would MC to our CB&T Softball team to any going away party. I would see him from time to time at Fenway cheering on his beloved Red Sox. I can’t begin to tell you how many times Mike Casella and I still tell Richie stories.
May he Rest In Peace

Patti Calla

255w ago

Richie was one funny guy!! He loved to entertain people. The fun times in our earlier life were the best times of my life. No one loved a gathering more than him. Like the time we had Michael’s high school graduation party and he set up a bag for the empties with a sign “Michael’s college fund”! Or the Machiavellian party that was a history lesson….we all had to do research and give a report on him! Took him weeks to come up with a party theme. The K of C getaways is where he shined. He had everyone laughing on the bus ride out…all weekend through and on the ride back………He had a lil help from his friends 😉 Above all Richie was a loving and devoted father. His unconditional love love for Michael knew no bounds as I’m sure followed through to his grandchildren.
Michael I was so sorry and sad to hear of his passing. I hope all of your wonderful memories help you and your family through your grief.
Rest In Peace, my friend…..till we meet again.

Mario

255w ago

I met Richie in 1980 at the KofC in Dorchester and the memories never stopped happening. Just to name a few (because I would have to write a book to list them all).
We ran with a group of guys anywhere from 5 to as many as 15 of us.
One year the Super Bowl was in New Orleans and we could't get tickets so we had a brainstorm, hey guys why don't we go to California to watch the game? The replies
came pouring in and 15 guys later a trip was born. The wives & girlfriends said
WHAAAAT!!! No TV's in Massachusetts? For the next 18 years the gang ended up in
in "Lauderdale By The Sea" to watch the Super Bowl. The Gang had many nights at Richie's to watch the fights (non stop laughter).
On a One on One, Me & Richie for 4 years (to deliver a care package to my son at school) traveled to the Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, NY for the induction ceremony where we had more laughs than one can imagine.
I know "There's no Crying in Baseball" BUT there is crying in losing a friend like YOU.
I will end in saying.
Rest In Peace My Brother.
Love Ya,
Mario

Elizabeth Campbell

255w ago

We have many fond memories of our time with Richie, but, what stands out to Don is when Richie loaned Don his car to go to his senior prom. Don was 17 and didn't even have his license yet. Don's friend drove Richie's car to the Prom. Richie wasn't even married to Carole at the time. Maybe he was hoping to convince Carole to marry him? Anyway, we had many great memories of Richie with the K of C. Our weekends away were epic. On one trip, the ice machine broke and when you put a quarter in, the ice wouldn't stop coming out. Everyone ran up with their coolers to catch the ice. Richie declared it the "Miracle of the Ice" and that was the theme of the whole weekend. We will miss you, Richie.

Lisa Campbell

255w ago

Ever since Donnie and I started dating we would hang out with Mike – very often heading up to his Uncle Richie’s house. Richie was always a good godfather. He took it seriously and always reached out to Donnie. Not everyone with this honor does that, but he did. He also made an effort to be at every family party we had at our house. Including the one where our neighbor hit his car! I will always remember his big personality and how you always knew where he stood.

Don Campbell

255w ago

I have so many memories of the Big Guy, starting when I was very young and he captivated me with his stories of his war exploits and his encounters with UFOs, all of which I totally believed. Watching old boxing films in Braintree, Sox Opening Days with KoC, road trip to Florida spring training in the Caddy including the infamous Renault rent a car incident (still not sure how he ever forgave me for that one), Super Bowl parties at his house that were always top notch and Ronald’s family picnic excursions. I remember we were at Winter Haven at the old Sox spring training site and someone mistook him for Tony Armas (they did look a lot alike), and he just went with it, waving to people and shaking hands as they called out to him, he was so cool. I always enjoyed being around Uncle Richie and looked forward to seeing him. He was my Godfather and a damn good one, he NEVER missed my Birthday, he would either be at my party, or when older and there were no more parties, he would reach out by phone, email and text to let me know he was thinking of me. He always made me smile or laugh with some comment or opening line. Even the last time I spoke with him a little while ago, despite all the health problems he was having and pain he was in he was cracking jokes and making me laugh. I will miss him a lot.

Arline Ballotta

255w ago

Our condolences to the whole family. Richie was always the leader of “YMCA” at all of the parties! I am sure he is leading the gang in heaven! May Richie rest in peace. LF.
Arline & Paul Ballotta

CARED FOR BY

Methuen Family Funeral Home

233 Lawrence Street, Methuen MA 01844

978-687-7300

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