Richard Kent Cashman, Jr.

June 27, 1973 - December 31, 2025

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Obituary for Richard Kent Cashman, Jr.

Richard Kent Cashman Jr., 52, passed away on December 31, 2025, from injuries sustained in a fall at his home in Sharon, MA. Rik is survived by his mother Rosemary Cashman; his sister Michelle Glynn, her husband Brendan, and their daughters Keira, Sara, and Sophie of Milton, MA; his sister Kristen Cashman and her husband Todd Welch of Tiverton, RI; and his best friend from childhood Matt Nicholas of Hull, MA. His father Richard Kent Cashman Sr. preceded him in death in 2003. Hopefully Rik and his dad are together in the afterlife binging Jeopardy (and no longer keeping score because they both get every question right).

Rik was born on June 27, 1973, in Quincy, MA. From earliest childhood, he lit up every room he entered, and his charismatic joie de vivre endured even after the traumatic brain injury he suffered in San Francisco in 1995. Unfailingly optimistic and happy-go-lucky, he reminded all who knew him to count their blessings and look on the bright side of life.

Rik attended Derby Academy, Noble & Greenough School, and Northfield Mount Hermon School, where he inspired and confounded his teachers in equal measure. He later earned an associate degree from Massasoit Community College.

Rik spent the early ’90s road-tripping to Grateful Dead concerts and finding novel ways to make mischief. By age 21, he had proudly visited 46 of the lower 48 states. He was also a die-hard Sox, Pats, Bruins, and Celtics fan, yet he could shrug off even the most painful losses with “You win some, you lose some.”

Since October 2024, he attended Seven Hills NeuroCare clubhouse in New Bedford. He adored the program and its staff, ever grateful for the opportunity to go there four days a week, connect with people, and be well fed.

Truly one of a kind, Rik touched many lives during his short life. His gleeful laughter and generosity of spirit will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be held at the Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, EAST MILTON SQUARE on Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 2 - 4 pm. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date.

Memorial contributions can be made to Seven Hills Foundation: https://tinyurl.com/Seven-Hills-NeuroCare (select Seven Hills NeuroCare from the drop-down menu); or to the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts:https://biama.org/product/donate/.

Services

10 Jan

Visiting Hours

02:00 PM - 04:00 PM

Dolan Funeral Homes and Cremation Services - EAST MILTON SQUARE 460 Granite Avenue Milton, MA 02186 Get Directions »
by Obituary Assistant

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Condolences

  • June 08, 2026

    Kaydar

    Rik was a customer of mine and always was super friendly/respectful. Condolences to the family for their loss. He was a good man.

  • January 05, 2026

    Maryann Sullivan

    Rik & I met at HICS in Quincy Center. We battled often at first on factual data. Rik had to be right but so did I. We became very close friends, shared personal histories, lunches, restaraunts and helped each-other get through the many challenges of a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) My very smart, happy friend will be dearly missed by many.

  • January 05, 2026

    Debbie Cabral

    My deepest condolences to Rik's family and friends. I have only had the pleasure of knowing Rik for just under 2 years . He joy of trivia was amazing , we were only able to stump him maybe twice with trivia. His laugh was the best. I will always remember him saying aloha when he would come into the building.

  • January 05, 2026

    Matt Nicholas

    My first memory of Rik , in September of '83 , I was about to turn ten years old. For over forty years we had a longstanding differing of opinion, did we meet on the first day of classes or the second. This has always been a major bone of contention between us. Now it would seem I get the last say unfortunately. Grudgingly I suppose it would be very big of me to admit, he was r-r-r-...that he Might have been Correct (just nobody tell HIM that)! I guess we bonded at first because we were new and also public school kids trying to navigate unfamiliar and different Derby. We made wisecracks and started making each other laugh from that Day One!From then on we were instantly the best of buddies to this Day & FOREVER! I'm Really REALLY going to miss him.Big Understatement. He was such Brilliant Light, & Kind Jolly Soul, kinda like Santa- though Rik may have loved Cookies even more! Rik was guy who really could "inspire & confound", sometimes at the Sam Time!😂 He had such an adventurous Spirit & it really did touch all those around him. Truly Brilliant Fellow. If he lived in the Age of Discovery he no doubt would have Braved the high seas ( probably as a privateer😄) & would have SOMEHOW convinced me to come along. I'm So sorry to Rik's Wonderful family who (whom?) I Love Very Much!! Also all the Many Amazing Friends who I was lucky enough to meet through him & Quickly call friends of my own! What A GUY(& Second Brother) As I've found myself saying all week "ELVIS Has Left The Building!❤️🙏

  • January 05, 2026

    Kristina Farren Brennan

    I am so sorry for your loss. Rik brought so much laughter into my life—both when I was younger and every time I was lucky enough to see him as an adult. He left a lasting impression and he will be sorely missed. He was smart, funny, and full of personality, always sharing things that expanded our world. I'll always treasure those moments, and I feel so grateful to have known him.

  • January 04, 2026

    Marion Briggs

    To his Mom and Rik's family, I am truly sorry for your loss. It was a joy to have Rik at the club house! We miss his daily text to tell the staff he was on his way and could not wait to see us all! Trivia and chess were his favorite things at the clubhouse. He will be missed! He was very smart and he amazed us how he knew every trivia question! Every day he wanted to wait outside for his ride. He said he could not drive and did not want to keep the driver waiting. He was kind, funny, and always had something positive to say. Rik rest in peace you will be missed.