Richard “Rich” Bengtson, 55, died March 12, 2023 with his family and his “Chosen Family” by his side.

Rich was born February 13, 1968, to Collie Connor Rivela in Portsmouth, VA. His dad was deployed in Vietnam at the time when Rich was born.

He attended Lawrence High School in Lawrence, MA. After high school, Rich worked at Malden Mills for a number of years before the fire. After Malden Mills, Rich became an entrepreneur and created a huge commercial business with painting and cleaning.

Rich’s family members include his mother, Collie Rivella and her spouse Leon of Revere; his wife of 29 years Bridget Murphy, their two sons that he adored Ricky and JC Bengston, his adopted son Justin Strong, his mother-in-law Ellen Bernal and her husband Les Bernal, his sisters- in-law and spouses Dawn Murphy Scanlon and her husband Bill, Shannon Murphy Ploude and her husband Tom, Melissa “Molly” Morgan and her husband Bruce, Megan Murphy, his brother in law Sean Shisko and his step-mother-in law Tammy Murphy. Rich also adored his nieces Caitlin, Erin, Jacqueline, Amelia, Lexi, and Aeris, as well as his nephews Jimmy, Kevin and Sean Jr. In addition to Rich’s nieces and nephews, he also cherished his time with great nephews Liam and Collin. Rich was preceded in death by his father-in-law Joseph Murphy.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Rich’s memory may be made to either The American Heart Association or The American Cancer Society

Family and friends are invited to calling hours on Thursday March 16, 2023 from 4 pm to 7 pm at the Dewhirst Boles Funeral Home 80 Broadway, Methuen. A Funeral Mass will be on Friday March 17 at 10:00 am in St. Theresa Church, 22 Plymouth St., Methuen. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery, Methuen. To leave an online condolence, please visit Rich's tribute page at www.dewhirstbolesfuneral.com.