Obituary of Richard M Birch

Richard M. Birch, 61, died suddenly at home in Union on March 15, 2017. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at St. Michaels Church, 1212 Kelly St, Union on Monday March 20th at 10:15 AM Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery, E. Hanover. Visitation will be held at The Jacob A. Holle Funeral Home 2122 Millburn Ave, Maplewood on Sunday, March 19th, from 3:00 - 8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations to Boomer Esiason Foundation c/o Etsuko Murase, 200 B Armstrong Road, Garden City Park, NY 11040 would be appreciated. For more information or to send condolences please visit jacobhollefuneralhome.com Born in Newark, Richard has lived in Union for the past 30 years. He was an operating engineer for Local #68 West Caldwell for 22 years. Prior to that he worked as a Bartender for Cryan's Beef & Ale in South Orange and Metuchen for many years. He was Secretary for the Middlesex/Somerset County Labor Council, member of the Knights of Columbus and Cryan Association and a Little League Coach in Union. He was the Tom Barry Award Winner with Local 68 Training School and an avid Yankee Fan He was the beloved husband of Eileen Cryan Birch, devoted father of Richard J. Birch, dear brother of James Birch (Linda), Evelyn King (Frank), Mary Walsh (Tom) and Donna Schultheis (Ralph). He was a special brother-in-law of Mary Donohue (Joe), John Cryan (Chrissy), Joseph Cryan (Kathy), Jimmy Cryan (Noreen), Lisa and the late Michael Cryan. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.