FARMINGTON — Timothy E. Richards, 58, of Industry, died Tuesday, Aug. 17, at the Sandy River Center for Healthcare, with family by his side after a short battle with cancer.

He was born on Nov. 9, 1951, in Wilton, the son of Elmer F. and Christine (Ranger) Richards. He attended Wilton schools until his senior year when he went to Farmington and graduated from Mt. Blue High School in 1970.

On Jan. 9, 1971, he married Mary Millett in Wilton and they made their home in Industry for the past 33 years.

He worked for a short time at Forster Manufacturing in East Wilton and later at Stowell McGregor in Dixfield. Most of his working life was with GH Bass in Wilton, where he worked in the factory and warehouse for 27 years until they closed in 2004. Until the time of his illness in July, he had been employed at U.M.F. for the past five years.

Tim was a family man who enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, golf and playing his guitar and singing with his friends and family. His grandchildren were the pride of his life. He was so proud to watch Travis grow into a strong, independent young man. Dustin was always his helper and he was so proud of what a good person Dustin was growing up to be. Dustin and Travis were his WWE buddies. Lilly was the light of his life. Grampa’s little, “honey bunny.” He loved it when she called him the Candy Man.

Timmy loved his big sister, Carnie, who always took care of things, and his baby sister, Debbie who called “Bubba” for cooking advice.

He was very close to the “in-laws,” and was truly loved like a son and brother by them. The “sisters” were always welcome. Most of all, he was a good and loving father to his children. He was so proud of Nick, his hunting and fishing buddy, helper and friend. He couldn’t have been happier about the man his son was. His daughter, Jen was always Daddy’s little girl and he loved her so much. He was always there for her. He thought of Kim as his daughter and was grateful that Nick chose the perfect partner in life.

Tim was a wonderful, loving husband who always made sure his wife knew how much he adored her. He was the chief cook, shopper and meal planner for 39 years.

He is survived by his wife, Mary of Industry; son, Nicholas Richards and his wife, Kim, of Farmington; daughter, Jeanette Nault and her friend, Bob Metcalf, of Jay; grandchildren, Travis Richards of Harrisburg, Pa., and Dustin and Lilly Richards of Farmington; sisters, Carolyn Smith and her husband, Bayne, of Dallas Plantation and Debra Nightingale and her husband, Rick, of Wilton; father-in-law, Harold Nutting of Industry; nieces and nephews, Darren, Matt, Mindy, Tony, Brian, Terri, Greg, Tricia, Mistee, Ruby, Olivia, Eric, Jake, Danny and Tommy; the sisters-in-law, Beverly, Donna, Georgie and her husband, Bob, Rose, Dorene; brother-in-law, Lester; many aunts, uncles, cousins, great nieces, nephews and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents, Elmer and Christine Richards, whom he missed everyday; grandparents, Perley and Olive Ranger and Charles and Edith Richards; brother-in-law and best friend, Glendon Churchill; mother-in-law, Jeanne “Nana” (Ward) Nutting; and special nephew, Brent Churchill.

Words of condolence and tribute may be shared with Tim’s family at www.wilesrc.com.