Richard Don Cremone

Of Wakefield passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at the age of 71. Raised in Malden, Richie was a proud Edgeworthian. From a young age, he earned a living cooking, his life’s passion. Initially, he worked as a milkman with his father at Sunnyhurst Farms, but soon found his calling at Tricca’s, Anthony’s, and Brandano’s restaurants, where he built a reputation as a hardworking and talented chef whose food brought people together and buttons apart. He also experienced great joy and satisfaction catering many events throughout the years.

Richie was the proud owner of Cremones’ Restaurant in Malden. The fulfillment of a lifelong dream, the restaurant was a special place where everyone truly knew your name. It’s impossible to recount the number of friendships, loves, and good times that were made at Cremones’ and will be cherished throughout the years. After closing the restaurant, Richie worked for several years at the Middlesex Sheriff’s office as the Director of Food Service in Cambridge.

It was through cooking that Richie expressed his creativity and demonstrated his love for family and friends. His delicious soups, stuffed artichokes, Abruzzi sauce, and, of course, skiffyskaf happily filled the bellies of countless people over the years.

Richie was a graduate of Malden High School’s Class of 1967. He served in the Army National Guard’s 182nd Infantry Regiment as a mess steward. Although he and his wife raised their daughters in Wakefield and enjoyed innumerable good times with their dear “neighborhood” friends, his heart was always in Malden. Richie was a longtime member of the American Legion and Italian American Citizens Club. Cooking braciole and sausages at St. Rocco’s every summer was one of his favorite activities and he also loved golfing in several leagues and being a champion bocce player. Some of his charitable activities included fundraisers for Children’s Hospital of Boston and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Richie was the son of the late Joseph and Eleanor (Clivio) Cremone and the brother of Robert Cremone of Woburn, his late twin, Dr. Joseph Cremone, Jr. of Wakefield, and Janet Schweitzer and her husband Allen of Reading. He was also a dear cousin of the late William Condon of Middleton and Paul Condon of Malden. He was married for 48 years to Toni Marie (Cole) and together they raised two daughters, Julie Ann (Whitson) and Lindsay (Cammarata), who will never fully recover from the loss of their devoted and doting father. Richie was dearly loved by his sons-in-law, John Whitson (of Wakefield) and Jason Cammarata (of Melrose). His greatest joy was being Papa to MollyBeth, Johnny, Toni Marie, Ellie, Josie and JJ and they will forever hold his love for them in their hearts. Richie was also well-loved by many nieces, nephews, and cherished friends.

The Cremone family would like to thank the many doctors, nurses, and therapists that cared for Richie over the years, especially the Medical ICU team at Tufts Medical Center for their outstanding care and compassion in the last days of his life.