Obituary of Richard Miliano

Richard Paul Miliano, a retired Clerk Magistrate and Secretary to two Massachusetts Governors passed away after a short illness on Monday, December 28, 2015. He was 86 years old. Richard was born in Woburn, the son of Italian immigrants, the late Joseph and Camilla Miliano. He grew up in Woburn and was a 1947 graduate of Woburn High School. He served in the Navy as an Electronics Technician Third Class on the USS Adirondack, which was an amphibious force flagship. He was a Veteran of the Korean War and was the recipient of the Navy Occupation Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. After his discharge he was able to use the GI Bill to earn a Degree in Business Administration from Merrimack College. Richard was heavily involved in Massachusetts and National Politics in the 1960’s and 1970’s. He had been working in the electronics industry and started his political involvement in the election campaign of Republican Governor John Volpe. Richard was placed in charge of the Woburn campaign office. He and his staff were able to swing the staunchly Democratic City to Volpe. Governor Volpe was so impressed by Richard’s ability and effectiveness that he was appointed to his staff as his Appointment Secretary. He would later take a leave of absence from his Statehouse position to work as a Special Assistant to the Richard Nixon Presidential Campaign. Richard had the opportunity to travel all over the country and as the Republican Convention approached that year, his close friend Massachusetts Governor Volpe was on the short list of Nixon’s Vice Presidential nominees. During the campaign, Richard had a front row seat to some of the most important moments of the 1968 Presidential election. After President Nixon’s successful election, Richard returned to Massachusetts, returning to his position as Secretary to now Governor Francis Sargent. In 1970, he was appointed Clerk Magistrate at the Somerville District Court where he remained until 1993. Up until the day he died, Richard kept his finger on the pulse of the local and national political arena. He has scrapbooks with photos of him with President Nixon at the Kentucky Derby, Governor John Volpe and Frank Sargent, Bishop Fulton Sheen, and celebrities like Carol Burnett, Steve McQueen, and Red Sox Legend Carl Yastrzemski. When asked about his many experiences, Richard would simply say “I was fortunate to get to know some very good people, and things kind of took off from there”. Even with all Richard’s experiences, he considered his family to be his greatest achievement. He was blessed to have had two wonderful wives, whom he adored. He was a proud father. His children described their dad as their role model and voice of wisdom. Richard was protective and nurturing and always available to give his advice and guidance in his children’s life decisions. He loved being a grandfather to his 14 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Richard really enjoyed seeing them excel in school, athletics, and become responsible adults. He lived an exceptional life, but never forgot Woburn and his family roots. Richard was the beloved husband of Barbara (Robie) of Woburn and the late Mary (Dulong). Loving father of Donna Desmond & her husband Tim of Winchester, Steven of Tewksbury & his late wife Mary, and Thomas & his wife Robyn of Burlington. Stepfather of Karen Teven & her husband Dan of Sharon, Tina Crawford & her husband James of Derry, NH, Stephen Roach of FL, Keith Roach of FL, and Kathleen Manning & her husband Greg of Haverhill. Brother of Joseph of Woburn & his late wife Joan, Marjorie Janus & her husband Tony of Woburn, and Bertha of Woburn. Also survived by 14 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Charles Church, 280 Main Street, Woburn on Tuesday, January 5 at 10 a.m. The burial will be private. Following the Mass there will be a luncheon for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Richard’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 1893, Memphis, TN 38101-9950.