Philip E. Read, 89, a longtime resident of Framingham, died Friday, January 12, 2024 at MA General Hospital in Boston, surrounded by loving family members. Born in Framingham, the son of the late Wilbur & Lottie (Edwards) Read, he is the beloved husband of his high school sweetheart Maureen A. (Cashman) Read for 65 years.
Phil spent a few of his early years living in Holliston before his parents settled in Framingham. After graduating from Framingham High School, he worked as a manager at Jordan Marsh, and as a clerk for the United States Postal Service before enlisting in the US Army. Upon his return from peacetime service, Phil attended and graduated from Worcester State College, earning his bachelors degree in education.
Phil found his true calling after embarking upon his career in teaching and coaching. He wore many different hats during his tenure with Framingham Public Schools – math teacher, PTO member, student council administrator, theatre arts program stage manager, soccer coach, sports equipment manager, sports timekeeper, football game ticket collector, and all-around supporter of the students and athletes of Framingham. Phil cared so much about his community and it showed – he was a “Salute to Framingham” honoree and he has a field named after him at Framingham High School, the “Phil Read Field”.
Above all else, Phil loved his family. He was the number one fan on the sidelines for his grandchildren’s sporting events. Any chance he had to spend time with his grandchildren and other family members, he was there. He was the type of man who enjoyed helping people out, at any time and he regularly went out of his way for others. Phil was a chauffeur extraordinaire – if you needed a ride, he would provide it. His grandchildren’s childhood friends considered him as their “Grampy” too as he was often the shuttle driver for play dates when they were younger. He was always there when you needed him.
Besides his loving wife Maureen, Phil is survived by his daughter, Heather A. Rich of Wellesley, his grandchildren, Katelyn and Philip Rich of Wellesley, his sister, Elsie Rodgers of Framingham, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews . He was predeceased by his sisters, Martha Nutting and June Brodeur.
Family and friends will honor and remember Phil’s life by gathering for his Funeral Mass on Friday, January 26th at St. Bridget’s Church, 830 Worcester Rd. Framingham at 10 o’clock in the morning. Interment will follow in St. Stephen Cemetery, Framingham.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Framingham High Hall of Fame, in memory of Phil Read.
Arrangements by the McCarthy, McKinney & Lawler Funeral Home of Framingham.
To share a memory with his family, kindly visit www.mccarthyfh.com
Chesmore Funeral Home