Richard C. Haapaoja

Richard Haapaoja, a Music Teacher in Weymouth Schools for 32 years, passed away at the Colony House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Abington on Monday March 9, 2009 at the age of 85. Mr. Haapaoja is survived by his wife of 59 years, Margaret (Milner) Haapaoja, his 6 children, Karen MacWilliams of Weymouth; David Haapaoja of Pittstown, NJ; Carl Haapaoja of Mansfield; Thomas Haapaoja of Braintree; Gail Haapaoja of Brockton; Neal Haapaoja of Rockland and John Haapaoja of Weymouth and his 14 grandchildren. Richard was born and grew up in Gardner and graduated from Gardner High School in 1941 and lived in Quincy and Colebrook, NH before moving to Weymouth in 1956. Dick served his country as a Radioman in the Navy during World War 2 prior to receiving a Bachelors Degree in Music at the Boston University College of Music and a Masters Degree from the Bridgewater State College in 1964. He started his music teaching career in Colebrook, NH where he taught for 4 years before teaching in Weymouth. Mr. Haapaoja retired in 1988. Richard was a member of the National Teachers Association, the Music Educators National Conference and the Finnish-American Club of Saima. Friends and relatives are invited to the Funeral at the C. C. Shepherd Funeral Home, Pleasant St. (Columbian Sq.) S. Weymouth on Friday March 13 at 11 A.M. The visiting hours will be on Thursday from 4 to 8 P.M. Interment will be in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne on Friday at 12:45. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dick’s memory to Care Alternatives Hospice of MA, 181 Cedar Hill St. Marlboro, MA 01752 or the Colony House Activities Fund, 277 Washington St. Abington, MA 02351. If you would like to leave a message for the family please visit www.ccshepherd.com.