‘Icon of Lower Pottsgrove’ dies at 97
LOWER POTTSGROVE >> Gerald Richards, who served as a township commissioner for 35 years and was the longtime president of the Building Industries Exchange, died Sunday at his home. He was 97.
“Gerry Richards was a real gentleman,” said Lower Pottsgrove Township Commissioners’ Chairman Bruce Foltz, who served with Richards on the board.
“He was always polite to people, he always tried to be fair, he was the icon of Lower Pottsgrove Township,” said Foltz.
An 18-year veteran of the board of commissioners himself, Foltz said he considered Richards his “mentor. I always tried to model my time on the board after him and follow in his footsteps.”
“Another thing about Gerry was whenever anything was going on in the town, he was always there,” said Foltz.
Richards “was very proud” when the township renamed the 30-acre flagship park on Buchert Road across from the township in his honor.
“He always did support parks and recreation,” Foltz said, adding “he was also a very good businessman as I had dealings with him there as well.”
Richards was the owner of Prestige
“He was always polite to people, he always tried to be fair, he was the icon of Lower Pottsgrove Township.” — Bruce Foltz, Commissioners’ Chairman
Builders for 17 years and he spent another 27 heading up the Building Industries Exchange, a trade and consumer protection group.
Richards was born in Fagleysville to the late Wayne L. Richards and the late Jennie M. (Grubb) Richards.
He served in the Navy during World War II and was a member of St. James Lutheran Church, Pottstown.
During his lifetime, Richards was a member of the Masons Stitcher Lodge No. 254, Pottsgrove Community Band where he played the clarinet, Pottstown Elks Lodge, Pottstown Lions Club, and Pottstown AMBUCS. He was a former board member of the Pottstown Visiting Nurses Association.
He was predeceased by his wife Jennie M. (Grubb) Richards, and is survived by three sons, David G. Richards and his wife Charlene of Linfield; Robert G. Richards and his wife Leslie of Sarasota, Fla.; William W. Richards and his wife Angel of Falls Church, Virg.; a daughter Wendy E. Cocci of Pottstown; 11 grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a sister, Arlene R. Castor, according to his obituary.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at St. James Lutheran Church, 1101 E. High St., Pottstown.
Burial will be in Highland Memorial Park. There will be a viewing from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the church.
Contributions may be made in his memory to Williamson College of the Trades, 106 S. New Middletown Rd., Media, PA 19063.