John A. Richards

John (Sonny) A. Richards April 26, 1941 - February 20, 2023 John 'Sonny' Archie Richards, 81, of Chatham, New Hampshire passed away after a brief illness on February 20, 2023. Sonny was born in Farmington, Maine on April 26, 1941 to John H. Richards and Ivey Richards. Sonny grew up in Farmington, Maine and worked on various farms as his family moved to the Windham, Maine area. As a young man he worked for the town of Windham driving plow trucks and other heavy equipment. After working for the town of Windham, Sonny and his wife Jodie had a logging business. While logging he used his horses in all aspects of the job. From there he worked at Hancock Lumber operating heavy equipment. He finished his career working on a local farm in Gorham, Maine. Sonny met his wife Claudia 'Jodie' (Jewett) Richards fifty years ago. They shared a love for horses and would spend their time on trail rides, both riding and driving teams, participating in horse shows and competitions, and traveling to fairs around Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Sonny belonged to several horse clubs: including but not limited to the Granite State Draft Horse and Pony Association, and the Abenaki Draft Horse Club. Sonny enjoyed giving people wagon rides and especially liked to see the children having a good time. He would attend every club event possible, giving rides for charity, fun days, and festivals. He delighted carrying many of his grandchildren in a fancy horse drawn carriage on their wedding day. His team of horses were invited yearly to the Portland Fire Barn where they participated in the fire station's history day. Sonny could be found most days in the barn talking to his horses, adjusting the harness, or fixing something (with a sludge hammer and a 20 inch spike). Sonny is survived by his wife Jodie (Jewett) Richards, his son, Michael Richards and his wife Julie, his granddaughter Paige Richards and her partner Timothy Haggerty and their daughter Taytum Violet, his grandson Derrike Richards and his partner Kayla Gorman. Sonny is also survived by his seven step children, and many grandchildren as well as great grandchildren who will always remember him as "Grampa Sonny". He also is survived by his brother Dennis Richard, his sister Sherry Libby and her husband Barry. Sonny is predeceased by his parents, his sisters Gin Beane, Geneva Lovell, Jackie Richards, and Irene Melvin. A celebration of life will be held April 29, 2023 at 11:00. a.m at the Fryeburg Fair Grounds in Fryeburg, Maine. The family welcomes you to please come and share your memories with Sonny.