By Katie Curley
NEWBURYPORT — After Newburyport firefighter Chris Richard lost his wife Jamie to breast cancer two years ago, he was astounded by the support the community provided him and his then 21/2-year-old son, Jason.
"What we got in support was ridiculous," Richard said. "All the Fire Department, friends and family, people we didn't know." Now Richard hopes to give back in a big way to other families going through similar situations.
"The team of doctors at Mass. General Hospital Cancer Center is over the top," Richard said. "They are more friends than doctors."
On Thursday, Richard, 33, will play the Moseley Woods Summer Concert Series for the third time to raise money for the park, but this time, half of all proceeds will go toward cancer research at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
"I said this year I would pay my stipend to Mass. General," Richard said. "But Mark Emmith (president of Board of Commissioners of Moseley Woods) contacted me and said they would donate half of all proceeds to Mass. General."
The concert is a fitting way to honor the doctors and nurses at Mass. General, as it was Richard's music that introduced him to his wife.
"She was the girl down the hall in college; we started dating in 1996," Richard said. "I used to play guitar in my dorm room and she would be part of the crowd."
In 2002, the two were married, but it wasn't long before Jamie, a state Department of Social Services social worker in Lawrence, was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer while seven months pregnant with her son.
"To know her, you would have never known she was sick," Richard said. "She didn't look it or feel it and I think having the support we did was a big part of it."
After two and a half years, Jamie lost her battle with cancer and died in May 2006.
"Even two weeks before she passed away, the doctors at Mass. General told us they were not willing to quit yet," Richard said. "I always wanted to do something to give back to them and I think this is a good outlet."
The humble Richard said he is nowhere near a rock star but instead cherishes the concerts as a way to bring the community together. He taught himself how to play guitar when he was in fourth grade and likes playing Pearl Jam songs the best.
"I'm not really a regular player, I don't play in bars or that sort of stuff," Richard said. "I'm no rock 'n' roll star, so I give the money back to the parks and hopefully increase turnout with the Fire Department being there."
Richard's acoustic rock is suitable for all ages, he said. His son, now 41/2, will be there and he has thought up children's songs to entertain young audiences earlier in the evening.
For the older crowd, he will be playing some classic songs.
"Last year we had well over 100 people; the whole Fire Department came out to show support," Richard said. "I hope we can at least get the same amount."
Emmith jumped at the chance to support Richard's cause.
"In the past Chris has donated all of his stipend back to us," Emmith said. "This year we said to take it as he has a little boy and we would give half of the proceeds right to breast cancer research in Jamie's name."
Emmith said part of the concert's importance is recognizing how prevalent breast cancer is in the community.
"Everyone has been affected in one way or another," Emmith said. "If we can all volunteer to add a little more for the donation for someone else, that's a pretty cool thing."
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If You Go
What: Moseley Woods Summer Concert Series in the Park
When: Thursday, Aug. 7, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Moseley Woods pavilion
Cost: Donations collected during the concert will be split 50/50.
Half will be sent to the MGH Cancer Center in Jamie's name.
For more information, contact Mark Emmith at info@moseleywoods.com.
