Richard Douglas Paulsen

Richard Douglas Paulsen of Huntington Station, NY passed away on February 12, 2025 at the age of 75. Beloved husband of Gladys Paulsen. Loving father of Marleny Paulsen, Jeanine (Peter) Stuyvesant, Cody (Kelly) Paulsen and Timothy (HeeJu) Paulsen. Cherished grandfather of Melissa, Jayden, Richard, Silas and Henry and loved brother of Pat Paulsen, Joe Paulsen& Robert (Laura) Paulsen. He was predeceased by his sister, Linda (Richard) Carlberg..Richie was born 11/25/1949 in Far Rockaway, Queens(in the same hospital in which his future wife was born 31/2 years later). His early years were spent in Brooklyn, NY as anyone who met up with him could easily tell from his "How ya doin"? When he was 17 he went to work for the U.S. Postal Service as a mail clerk. From 1969-1971 he was in the army assigned as a postal clerk. In 1975 Richie met Gladys, the love of his life, in a Barracini coffee shop, near to where they both worked in Rego Park. Three years later they were married. Richie was always courageous and wise. He traveled to Honduras alone to prepare for Marleny's adoption and returned there several months later, again alone, to bring his 2 year old daughter home. 3 months later, he traveled solo to Columbia to bring one year old Jeanine home .After another 3 months Cody was born and he was the father of 3 under 3. Seven years later Timothy arrived and Richie was again the father of a newborn. He & Gladys bought their 1st. and only home in Huntington Station, taking on a mortgage when he was 44 yrs. old. In 2005 Richie retired from the Post Office & took a job with the New York State DMV in Amityville/Massapequa. He retired for good in 2018. Richie was a kind, gentle & happy man. He loved his family, running, the beach, the Yankees, working out, South Carolina and hot tubs (see picture). He was very funny and loved music and holiday celebrations. He also loved working with the children @ Vacation Bible School and children's programs at church. Throughout his life, Richie had an easy laugh & a welcoming way about him. As he courageously lived with his frontotemporal degeneration for 9 years, he never lost that smile and gentle way. He was a light in the world, a light that shone on so many people in so many places. His life deeply touched & enriched all of ours. He is greatly missed; even so, we rejoice that he is healed and at peace. In lieu of flowers Richards family requests donation be made in his memory to: Central Presbyterian Church https://www.centralpresbyterianchurch.net/ , or The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration https://www.theaftd.org/f2023de_/?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=Ggl_Ads24&utm_content=GeneralSearch&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAh6y9BhBREiwApBLHC74H3ijnHHCRoi0-WAZezcHTsTiL9v_Ab23l93yoRK-6vEv63PHDNhoCvWUQAvD_BwE or Soundview pregnancy services https://soundviewpregnancy.com/

Richard Douglas Paulsen

November 25, 1949 - February 12, 2025