Richard Stanley Fursa was born to Zygmund M. and Casimira H. (Falkowski) Fursa on September 27, 1936, in Chicopee, MA. Richard, 88, died at home peacefully on Saturday June 28, 2025. His final days were spent surrounded by his family.

Richard was raised in mid-Massachusetts, heavy in Polish heritage and the Catholic faith. He was able to achieve personal success starting at Holyoke High School where he was salutatorian of his class in 1954.  Accepted at the University of MA-Amherst, he graduated Summa Cum Laude in electrical engineering in 1958.  Additionally, Richard excelled in Army ROTC earning a First Lieutenant rank along with awards. He completed an IBM “practice” interview that led him to a 31-year career there.  He started in White Plains, NY and relocated to Rochester, MN in 1968. Since he retired early, he still wanted to work and acquired a master’s degree in Community Counseling via Winona State University in 1992. Richard also worked in a variety of areas associated with computers up to his full retirement.

Richard’s life brightened when visiting his family in Palmer MA, following his beloved Bassett Hound Doris’ path into the neighboring yard of his future wife Priscilla M. Rudnick.  Following a four-year courtship, they were married at St. Peter and Paul Catholic church in Three Rivers, MA on May 31st, 1965. Together he “cleaved to his wife and became one flesh” and had many adventures, projects, travels and beautiful outcomes throughout their 56 years of marriage until her passing in 2022.

He led his children by example and taught the path of God’s way, truth and the life. When Richard was not providing for his family, he found joy in reading, learning, computers, games, camping, auctions, traveling, woodworking, photography and aviation. If you gave him a golabki and any variety of soup plus add chrusciki, and he would give you smile you would remember. He highly valued God and the power of prayer, child-like simplicity, honesty, compassion, genuineness, along with wisdom.  He believed balance is essential, we only own the present, people are inherently good, and pride and greed destroy the soul. He found satisfaction with his family, conversations with friends, a good book, joke or meal plus seeing the facial expression when one discovers something new.

Lastly, Richard is proceeded in death by his younger brother Ronnie and both parents.  Richard’s surviving family includes children Gregory (Carol), Timothy (Lisa), Jeffrey, Theresa, Matthew, and Christopher (Karrie) Fursa. Richard was further blessed with grandchildren: Michelle, Nathan, Zygmund (Tiara), Walker, Sophie (Ben Klaus), Hannah, Amy (Dan Furey) and Noelle Fursa. His most recent blessings included great-grandchildren: Dean, Edie, and Jude Klaus plus Leo, Catherine and Isabel Furey. His sister-in-laws Hilda Fursa and Lorraine (Steve) Hall along with nieces and nephews.

If willing, please join the family as we send him onto his next journey by attending his Funeral Mass this Thursday, July 3, 2025 on 11:00 am at St Bridget Catholic Church in Simpson, MN. Visitation is one hour prior, reception to follow. He will be laid to eternal rest at St Stanislaus Cemetery in Easthampton, MA beside his wife and parents later.

If so desired please consider donating in Richard’s name, to St.Bridget Catholic Church, in Simpson, MN.