In Memory of Rev. Richard M Fewkes (December 11, 1936− May 15, 2026)
We offer our condolences to the family and colleagues of the Rev. Richard M. Fewkes, who died on May 15, 2026, at the age of 89.
Richard was born on December 11, 1936, in Springfield, Massachusetts, to Maxwell Fewkes and Elinor Lovelace. From third grade through high school, he attended the Christian Science Church and Sunday School with his father. During high school, he became active in a Congregational Youth Group and served as its president in his senior year. Inspired by the congregation’s minister, Richard began to consider the ministry as his future vocation. His father also instilled in him a lifelong spiritual curiosity and a desire to seek ultimate meaning and connectedness with the universe. His early involvement in Christian Science shaped the psychological and mystical dimensions of his religious thinking and spiritual development.
Richard graduated from Springfield Technical High School in 1955. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1959. After spending several years studying theology and church history, he began attending the Unitarian Society in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts, where he immediately felt at home. He went on to pursue his theological studies at Andover Newton Theological School in Massachusetts, earning his Master of Sacred Theology in 1965.
The Rev. Fewkes was ordained on November 1, 1964, by the First Unitarian Church of Middleboro, Massachusetts, where he served from 1964 to 1969. The congregation experienced modest growth during his ministry. In 1969, he accepted a call from the First Parish of Norwell, Massachusetts, where he served until his retirement in 2000. During his 31-year ministry, the congregation evolved from a predominantly middle-aged and older membership to a vibrant multigenerational community with people of all ages. The church school flourished. Committed to the formation of future ministers, the Rev. Fewkes served as a field education supervisor for several student ministers. The church, with the full support of the laity, became an active teaching parish for prospective Unitarian Universalist ministers. Upon his retirement in 2000, the congregation honored him as its minister emerit. The Rev. Fewkes then served as an interim minister of the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, for two years (2000–2002).
The Rev. Fewkes devoted many years to the leadership within the wider denomination. He served on the board of the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry for 10 years and in numerous leadership roles within the Unitarian Universalist Ministers’ Association (UUMA), including president of the Ballou Channing District (BCD), UUMA Continuing Education Representative, UUMA President, and Good Offices Representative. He also chaired the BCD Social Responsibility Committee and served as the district’s ministerial settlement representative for 9 years. He was a member of the Skinner Sermon Award Committee for Best Social Action Sermon from 1974 to 1975 and dean and theme speaker for the Star Island Religious Education Conferences in 1976 and 1979.
Richard was actively involved in the community, serving the Norwell Clergy Association, the Norwell Affordable Housing Committee, the Norwell Council on Community Social Health, the Norwell Vietnamese Relocation Committee, and the Norwell Visiting Nurse Association Ethics Committee
In his leisure time, Richard enjoyed piano, drama and theatre, science fiction, poetry, and movies. He was a die-hard Red Sox fan.
Richard is predeceased by his beloved wife, Elinor, with whom he shared 42 years of marriage. He is survived by his partner and dearest friend, Connie Joy Johnson; his four children, Charles Buckley (Karen), James Buckley (Donna), Kenneth Buckley (Barbara), and Jennifer Loring (Daniel); his ten grandchildren, Adam Buckley (Laura), Andrew Buckley (Jeanna), Nathan Buckley, Kenneth Buckley Jr. (David), Katelyn Buckley (Jeff), Eric Buckley, Allison Cabral, Julia Cabral, Elijah Loring, and Marlena Loring; and his five great-grandchildren, Claire, Caroline, and Mary Kate Buckley, and Jonathan and Hannah Buckley. He is also survived by his sister, Maxine Batrawi.
A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life Reception was held on July 11, 2026, at the First Parish in Norwell, 24 River Street, Norwell, MA 02061.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First Parish in Norwell Ministry Fund, 24 River St., Norwell, MA 02061.
Notes of condolence may be emailed to Jennifer Loring at jennloring72@yahoo.com or mailed to 129 Elm Street, Stoneham, MA 02180.