Richard "Rich" Kramer Jr., 43 of Ashland, passed away with his wife by his side on August 18th after a brave, yearlong battle with acute myeloid leukemia. He was the beloved husband of Stacy Schaeffer for 20+ years; loving father of 5 boys; Ryan, Connor, Aidan, Brendan, and Keegan; cherished son of Richard Kramer Sr. and Marcia (Hudak) Kramer; and dear brother of Kendra Kramer.

Rich earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY and worked as a Quality Manager at EMC in Hopkinton. He was known as a great mentor and manager with a positive attitude, sense of humor, and interest in his colleagues.

Rich was devoted to his family and very involved in his boys' lives through their sports, scouts, and sharing his love of his many hobbies and interests – sports cars, video games, board games, legos, painting miniatures, science fiction movies and books, Star Wars, history, alternative rock music, and his collections. He was an avid sports fan and loved attending Boston sports team games with his wife and boys, especially the Red Sox. He was an active member of St. Cecilia's Church in Ashland.

Calling hours will be held Monday, August 22nd from 4-8 PM at the Matarese Funeral Home, 325 Main St. in Ashland. The family requests that friends bring stories about Rich to be collected in an album for his boys.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, August 23rd at 9 a.m. at St. Cecilia's Church, 54 Esty St. Ashland with burial to follow in Wildwood Cemetery in Ashland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rich's name to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168 Boston, MA 02284-9168 or the family also suggests a blood donation at DFCI or other blood bank.