Family News

George Fletcher transitioned the shop to Gerry and Gertrude Richards beginning (I believe) in 1962.  In the front of each mail order catalog, the owners always included a bit of news from the shop and family. 

A heart tugging story from history gleaned from reading the old catalogs is this sequence:

In the 1966 catalog Gertrude wrote: “Gerry, who was such a vital, happy person, was suddenly taken from us one evening in the middle of July, just as we were getting ready to close the Shop.  He had never been ill a moment, so for him it was a wonderful way to go, but for the rest of us the shock and disbelief still exists.”

In 1967: After discussing who was still working at the shop, there was this note: “This year I have also added a consultant, Cal O’Brien, Boston sports writer, sports commentator and member of the Outdoor Writers of America.”

In 1968’s catalog, Gertrude writes: “As many of you know by now, I took my consultant’s advice and married him, so I am now ‘Mrs. Cal O’Brien.’”

Recently we were blessed by a visit from Cal O’Brien’s grandson, followed the next day by a visit from Greg Richards.  Greg kindly shared many of his mother's old catalogs with us.

Written 6/27/2021

Note: Gregory Richards died February 8, 2024. Our condolences to his wife & family.