Richard J. “Dick” Clasby

 

Richard J. “Dick” Clasby, 87, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 28, 2017 surrounded by his loving family at home in Waterford, VT. Formerly of Milton,and Quincy, Dick was born September 8, 1930 to Michael and Anita (Wollaston) Clasby in Boston.

Raised in Natick, Dick starred in football, hockey and baseball for Natick High (‘49) and Trinity-Pawling School (’50) before attending and graduating from Harvard University in 1954. While at Harvard he became one of the Crimson’s greatest all-around athletes. Known most for his football success as a triple-threat tailback, Dick was awarded the 1953 George H. “Bulger” Lowe Award as the Best College Football Player in New England and was a 1953 Associated Press Football All-American. He also was a hockey and baseball standout, earning three major letters in each sport for a total of nine, as many as any male athlete in Harvard history. He was inducted into the Harvard Varsity Club Hall of Fame in 1978 as an All-Around Athlete, one of only two in Harvard history at the time to achieve that rare distinction. He was inducted into the Natick Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010. Dick also holds a cherished place in Boston sports history for scoring the first goal ever in the inaugural Beanpot Hockey Tournament in 1952. It was one of two goals he scored that game in a 3-2 victory over Boston College.

While at Harvard, Dick was introduced to Mary Jo Gargan when she was escorted to a Harvard freshman football game by her first cousin, a young congressman at the time, named Jack Kennedy. The meeting led to Dick and Mary Jo’s marriage of more than sixty-two years, ended only by his passing.

Graduating from Harvard in 1954 and marrying Mary Jo in 1955, Dick served two years in the U.S Army as a 1st Lieutenant in Texas, Washington and Alaska. After the Army, Dick and Mary Jo would settle in Milton and raise seven children together while they attended St. Elizabeth’s Parish and he coached youth hockey and became an avid golfer. He was in the lumber brokerage business for more than fifty years, becoming the owner and President of the Davenport Peters Company, the oldest lumber brokerage firm in the country.

He was a member of the Harvard Varsity Club, The Harvard Club, The Gridiron Club of Boston, Wollaston Golf Club and a past President of Friends of Harvard Football. He served on the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Hospital School for many years and was awarded the Arthur J. Pappas Award for his support and service to the school.

Dick is survived by his wife Mary Jo of Waterford, VT, his brother Edward M. Clasby and wife Mary of Westboro, MA and his children; Michael P. Clasby and wife Nancy of Marblehead, MA, Richard J. Clasby Jr. of Irvine, CA, Gail A. Mustoe and husband Steve of Windsor, VT, Robert J. Clasby of Scottsdale, AZ, Mary Jo O’Neill and husband Tim of Waterford, VT, John R. Clasby and wife Pamela of Wilton, CT.

He was predeceased by his beloved daughter Susan Elizabeth and his brother James A. Clasby.

He was a cherished grandfather to Misha, Erin, Megan, William, Christopher, Christina, Brendan, Susie and Robin Clasby, Calais and Oliver Mustoe, Jack and Luke O’Neill.

 

Visiting hours will be from 4-8 PM on Thursday, November 2, 2017 at the Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, EAST MILTON SQUARE, MA 02186

A funeral Mass will be held at 11AM on Friday, November 3, 2017 at St. Elizabeth’s Church, 350 Reedsdale Road, Milton, MA 02186. Burial will follow in Milton Cemetery.