Varnum "Rich" Bradford Richardson

(October 12, 1931- January 17, 2022)

Varnum "Rich" Bradford Richardson, age 90, of Clermont, Florida went home to be with the Lord at The Mike Conley Hospice House on Monday, January 17, 2022 from respiratory failure, pneumonia and dementia.

He was born on October 12, 1931 in Methuen, MA to the late Stephen and Doris Richardson. As a patriotic American who loved his country, he served in the U.S. Navy from 1952 – 1956.  After being honorably discharged from the Navy in 1956 he married Ruth E. Miller. Following their marriage, he briefly attended Tennessee Temple University and started a family.  After leaving there, he moved back to Massachusetts and raised his growing family in Lawrence, MA.  He served as the pianist at Marsh Corner Community Church as well as soloist, accompanist to individuals and groups and he also served as a Deacon in the church. Most of his career was spent at Western Electric, where he worked for more than thirty years. He stayed with the company when it was sold years later to Lucent Technologies and again when it was purchased by AT&T.  He retired from AT&T in 1991 and moved, with his wife, to Fedhaven, FL in 1994.  He faithfully served the Lord with music.  After moving to Florida he became a member of the Community Baptist Church in Fedhaven, FL where he played the piano and at times led singing as well as serving as a Deacon in the church. He also attended Trinity Baptist Church where he regularly entertained his fellow Keenagers in the senior saints ministry by playing the piano.  He would play popular songs of their youth, love songs, as well as the familiar hymns they all loved. He played by ear and would delight his audiences by taking requests. If he didn't remember a particular song very well but someone could sing or hum a few bars, he was able to jump in and add the accompaniment. Upon the passing of his wife, he moved to Clermont, FL to live with his youngest daughter and son-in-law, Cathy and Jeff Rogers; where he faithfully attended the Church At South Lake (CASL) in Clermont, FL for the rest of his days.  While at CASL, he enjoyed being part of his life group and the Prime Timers ministry.  In addition to playing the piano and organ, Varnum also played the accordion and the harmonica. Other things that he enjoyed were singing, yodeling, classical music, hymns, bowling, swimming, doing word searches and any kind of pie, even pizza pie! Varnum was a faithful husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, who loved and served the Lord, read his Bible daily and modeled faithfulness in his walk with Christ.

Survived by daughters Wendi (David) Winkler of GA, Cheryl (Bill) Reichl of PA, Leeann (Doug) Long of PA, Donna  (Mike) Ouellette of ME, Cathy (Jeff) Rogers of FL and David (Susan) Richardson of NH; 10 Grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.  Varnum was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Ruth, and brother Earl, sister Eleanor and brother Lee.

A Memorial Service will be held in Varnum's honor at The Church At South Lake, 1860 Hancock Rd, Clermont, FL on Tuesday, January 25 , 2022 with Pastor Robert Gilliland officiating.  Public viewing will be held at 10:30 AM with the Memorial Service at 11:00 AM. Interment will be held at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell at 1:30 PM.  A light reception to follow at the Church At South Lake at 3:00 PM.  Condolences may be sent to the family and memorial gifts in lieu of flowers can be made in memory of Varnum Richardson to fund the purchase of Bibles through The Gideons at https://www.sendtheword.org/Product/ProductList

To view funeral service online live at 11:00am:

Option 1 - https://churchatsouthlake.online.church/

Option 2 - https://www.churchatsouthlake.com/

If the main website is selected (Option 2), please select the "Watch Live" button on the main page

The online option will not be able to be accessed after 12:00 PM

A video overview of Varnum's life is available at https://www.beckerfamilyfuneral.com/obituary/varnum-richardson as well as a guest book where you can read or share your memories of Varnum.

Becker Family Funeral Home in Clermont, FL is handling the arrangements