Richard J. Kelliher of West Roxbury, formerly of Everett, passed away peacefully on September 24, 2024. He was 75 years old.

Richard had a four-decade career in Massachusetts local government, having served for 15 years as Brookline's Town Administrator, 10 years as Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Newton, 5 years on the staff of the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) and nearly 10 years in the administration of former Boston Mayor Kevin White. His leadership was recognized statewide in 2005 when he was elected MMA president.

Throughout his career, he chaired numerous study and action committees including those focusing on labor relations, revenue sharing and group health insurance. He was the first municipal designee ever appointed to the state Group Insurance Commission. He was asked to serve on the Local Aid Task Force by the Massachusetts Executive Office for Administration and Finance. He also held project and teaching positions at Brandeis and Clark Universities, respectively. In addition, Kelliher was a senior fellow at the Moakley Center for Public Management at Suffolk University. Richard held a Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School and a BA in Government from Harvard College.

Richard was the dear and devoted husband of Yvette (Greene). Loving father of Owen Kelliher and his wife Deanna of Quincy and Edward “Ted” Kelliher of Huntington Beach, CA. He was the cherished grandfather, “Papa,” of Jacob, Sofia, Elias and McCoy. Dear brother of John Kelliher and his wife Joyce of Swampscott, Colin Kelliher and his wife Adrienne of Marblehead, Mary Veno and her husband Leonard of Tewksbury and the late Kevin Kelliher and his wife Frances Kelliher of Reading. Dear brother-in-law of George Greene Jr. and his wife Arlene of St. Augustine, FL. He is also survived by several loving nieces and nephews.