Richard William Salsman

A life that touched so many hearts will be forever remembered.

Remember

R
ichard William Salsman, Jr, longtime resident of Wakefield, MA, passed away suddenly on February 15, 2026 in his home in Fort Myers, Florida. He was best known to many as “Richie”, or “Coach”, and later in his life as “Reverend Richie”.

Born to Gorgiana & Richard William Salsman of Saugus, MA, Richie grew up surrounded by sports and his faith. As a boy, he never missed a day of Sunday School. Even with a black eye from a baseball, his grandmother insisted he maintain his perfect attendance.

Always hard-working, his earliest jobs at Berthold’s Farm and Castle Rock Soda Company enabled him to make enough money to buy his own hockey equipment. This marked the start of many of his organized events to come, including Squash Square street-hockey and winter pond-hockey games.

After graduating from Saugus High School in 1967, he went on to serve in the Army Reserve. Throughout his life, he had many careers: owning his own bakery distribution company, then an embroidery business, and his greatest passion: coaching.
Richie was a lifelong coach. He started early in his 20’s, coaching Saugus Youth Hockey, then Wakefield Little League, and finally GM and coach of The Boston Junior Blackhawks hockey club.

Through all of the years and all the rosters, not a single player slipped from his memory. He could recall games play-by-play and rattle off stats or highlights for every athlete he ever coached.

In his favorite role as father and grandfather, Richie was beyond proud of any family accomplishment – their wins were his wins. Nothing made him happier than sitting in the stands, watching his grandchildren in the activities and sports they loved: dance, soccer, baseball, basketball, football, and hockey. He rarely missed a chance to watch a game. If he wasn't in the front row, or watching it on LiveBarn from Florida, we could count on a post-game call requesting the final score.

As the biggest cheerleader, he was loud. He was proud. And he was often in a crowd, telling stories and laughing his way through them. Anyone who knew Richie knew that hockey held a special place in his heart — and in his conversations.

Richie spent his life collecting friends and their stories. He had a million memories & a thousand tales. His stories elevated others as he never allowed his main characters to be anything less than a Hero.

Richie was predeceased by his brother, George Salsman, and son-in-law Mike Charles.
He is survived by his former wife, Donna Salsman, and their four children - son, Steven and Jamie Salsman; son, Marc Salsman and Liz Cutone; daughter, Angela Charles and Corey Smith; and daughter, Erica and Kevin Kotyluk. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Stephanie and her husband Matt, Kevin, Tighe, Gordie, Caiden, Skylar, Ellie, Marcella, Liam and his wife Roberta, and great-granddaughters Amelia and Oaklynn, including so many beloved family members, nieces and nephews, and lots of friends.
He loved to serve and worship alongside his brothers and sisters in Christ at the Mountain Mover & Water Walkers Church, and sharing the Gospel as a member of the Kiros Prison Ministry in Florida.

Services will be held at Restoration Church on Thursday, February 26, 2026
Calling hours are 10:00 am - 12:00 pm with a short service immediately following at noon.

At 1:00 pm, please join us at the Crystal Community Club (3C’s) for a celebration of life as we honor Richie with one of his favorite pastimes: sharing stories. 

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