1954 – 2015

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Richard Howard Bulger Jr. of San Francisco passed away Friday, Nov. 20, after a courageous struggle with leukemia.

Richard was born to the late Richard Howard Bulger Sr. and Vivian Sassi Bulger in Rumford, Maine, on Oct. 28, 1954.

Richard graduated from Rumford High School and received a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology at the University of Maine at Orono. Richard was a certified alcohol and drug counselor and was a member of the California Association of Drug Counselors and The National Association of Lesbian and Gay Addiction Professionals. He began his career as a drug counselor in Grass Valley, Calif., in 2001 and returned to San Francisco, Calif., and continued his practice at Kaiser Permanente in 2007.

Compassionate, resilient, generous, insightful with a sweet soul and an endless drive to help people suffering from addiction were just a few of the ways that Richard has been described by his friends, colleagues and family.

Richard was a pioneer in the gay community. He founded the Bear Magazine with Chris Nelson which was responsible for the beginning of the Bear subculture. Richard also facilitated the first gay substance-abuse treatment group at Kaiser Permenente.

Richard was fun-loving and was a positive force, uplifting his friends with his quick wit and sense of humor. Richard enjoyed good food, children, animals, dining out, watching his favorite television shows, plays, movies, art and the company of good friends, but what Richard loved and enjoyed the most was inspiring and supporting individuals who were beginning their journey in their addiction recovery.

His survivors include his brother, Bruce Bulger; sister-in-law, Brenda Z. Bulger; his nephew, Ryan Kerr; nieces, Alicia and Desiree Bulger and his great-nephew, Colton Bulger.

Richard is preceded by his parents; and his sister, Linda Bulger Gaskill, who passed away six months prior.