Richard Newcomb, Founder Of Landmark Restaurants, 72
DGH
Richard Newcomb, whose wife, children, and daughters-in-law worked
with him at the family's two restaurants, died of cancer Tuesday,
March 30, 2004, at his Milton home, at the age of 72.
At Newcomb Farms Family Restaurant in Milton, Massachusetts, Richard
K. Newcomb's landmark eatery, the lines of patrons continued to
overflow out the doors this week in anticipation, perhaps, of yet
another succulent turkey dinner.
They came not only from Milton, but from surrounding towns and beyond,
where word of Newcomb's wholesome, home-cooked meals at reasonable
prices has spread in the 20 years since its opening. Not the least of
the incentives to dine at Newcomb's has been the cheery greeting from
Mr. Newcomb, its founder and owner, who, it is said, knew the first
name of every "regular" who came through his door. There were many.
He had been on duty at his Milton and Quincy, Massachusetts,
restaurants, seeing that things ran smoothly, with his wife, Caroline
D. (Talbot) by his side, through December, when they went to their
winter retreat at Marco Island in Florida.
The couple traditionally returned in April, said their son, Daniel R.
of Marshfield, so that Caroline could bake pies and Mr. Newcomb could
resume his six-day-a-week work schedule.
"Dad loved his customers and his work," his son said.
Newcomb's restaurant patrons are an eclectic clientele, from the
elderly to politicians to Celtics and Red Sox players. Many of the
regulars show up for lunch every day.
His love for his customers was geniune, said Muriel Kelly, manager of
the Milton Newcomb's.
"He would find out the birthdays of customers and send them cards,
which would allow them to come in for a free meal on their birthdays,"
she said. "If they didn't tell him when their birthdays were, he'd go
to City Hall and find out. When there was a death in the family of a
customer or among his staff, he would donate a turkey dinner with all
the fixings."
Mr. Newcomb donated so many fresh turkeys to shut-ins, the elderly,
and homeless shelters that the Milton Kiwanis Club gave him its
Special Community Recognition Award in 2000.
He also treated his employees well. "I've worked for him for 17 years
and he treated me like one of the family," Kelly said. When Mr.
Newcomb decided to retire recently, she said, he gave each of his
employees a check to start their pensions. "He was just a caring and
loving, great guy," she said.
Mr. Newcomb was born in Boston and grew up in Milton. His skills in
the restaurant trade were learned as a child, along with baking bread,
crafting pastries, and treating customers well.
In the 1940s, his father, Daniel W., started Newcomb Bakery in North
Quincy, Massachusetts, which he developed into a chain of 26 shops in
the Boston area. Growing up, Richard worked at the bakery after
school, on weekends, and during the summers, and often rode along in
the trucks making home deliveries. Mr. Newcomb graduated from Milton
High School in 1949 and served in the Navy from 1950 to 1954.
In 1965, he founded the Mug 'n Muffin chain in the Wollaston section
of Quincy and later sold the franchise rights to about two dozen of
them. In 1984, Mr. Newcomb sold the business and started Newcomb Farms
Family Restaurants. He later sold his third restaurant, in Manomet.
While the Newcomb Farms kitchens provide a variety of fare, Kelly said
turkey dinners and breakfasts are favorites, and serving times aren't
rigid. "Mr. Newcomb had a motto," she said. 'You are never too late
for breakfast and never too early for lunch.'"
Mr. Newcomb did not have many hobbies, said John MacVarish, his Milton
neighbor of 50 years. "I know he liked to go fishing in Florida, but
his hobby was really his work."