Richard Dennis Grisdale

:  Richard Dennis Grisdale, 92, formerly of Cohasset, died peacefully at his home on November 12, 2016, after a period of failing health. He was the devoted husband of 63 years to the late Charlotte Fottler (Jones) Grisdale, loving father of daughter Jennifer Krieger and her husband Barry of Pepperell; son Todd and his late wife Karen of Duxbury; and two grandsons: Ethan and Aaron Krieger. Born in Barrow-In-Furness, Lancashire, England, Mr. Grisdale was the son of Frances Mary and Richard Stephen Grisdale. He immigrated to the United States at age two.

Mr. Grisdale was a sergeant in the Army Air Corps during World War II and was injured during his service.  A graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), he spent the first half of his professional career as a mechanical engineer for Bethlehem Steel’s Fore River Shipyard, where he was involved in the design of many ships, including the first nuclear-powered surface vessel, the USS Long Beach. He was later “loaned out” to Electric Boat, where he became a member of the design team for the first nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus. Mr. Grisdale then spent the second half of his career at Stone and Webster Engineering in Boston, where he designed both nuclear and fossil-fuel power plants.

A wise and gentle soul, Mr. Grisdale loved “all creatures great and small,” especially Golden Retriever dogs, a number of whom he raised and adopted over the years. His love and respect for the natural world remains reflected in his hobbies, which included photography and painting. Mr. Grisdale had a great sense of humor as well as a keen sense of mischief.  He has no idea how much he will be missed.

A Memorial Service will be held December 3, 2016  11 AM at the  McGaffigan Funeral Home, 37 Main Street (RTE 113) Pepperell, In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Mr. Grisdale’s name to Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue, PO Box 808, Hudson, MA 01749-0808.  please see www.mcgaffiganfuneral.com