Richard A. Morrissette, 92

WILMINGTON, Mass. — Richard Morrissette, known as Dick, Daddy, or Papa, at 92 years young, passed away peacefully with loved ones at his side at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House on Nov. 8, 2024. He was born on June 7, 1932, to his now deceased parents, Alfred and Alma Morrissette, in Fall River, Massachusetts. He was predeceased by his sister, Joan Grant of Rhinebeck, New York, in 2019, and his wife, Eileen Morrissette, who passed away March 4, 1975.

Richard leaves behind Wendy Morrissette, his wife of 45 years; his daughter, Deborah Bickmore and husband Bill Bickmore; his daughter Catherine Cram and husband Richard Cram; and his stepdaughter Jacky Kieras and her partner Anthony Stott. He also leaves behind 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren who loved him dearly.

He had a full childhood where he spent many years living on the Spencer Borden Interlachen Farm in Fall River where his dad was the mechanic for the Borden family. They also helped care for the many horses on the farm. His passion for automobiles and mechanics developed from helping his dad while living on the farm. They lived in a carriage house on the property. The family then moved to Swansea, Massachusetts, where he attended Morton Junior High and graduated from Joseph Case High School. Dick attended Northeastern University and graduated with a degree in engineering. His first cars included a 1954 Pontiac Convertible and Plymouth Skylark Rycom.        

Dick joined the Air Force on Sept. 10, 1952. He trained at Sampson AFB in New York and Keeler AFB in Mississippi at the Electronics Training Center. Then he was stationed at Bisha Gawa AFB in Okinawa, Japan, and served through 1956. He loved to tell the story of how he also ran the projector to show movies while he was there. During his service, he was also at Chandler AFB in Minnesota where he excelled at the gun club and began his love for pistol shooting competitively. He then extended his service through the Air Force Reserves and was honorably discharged on Aug. 31, 1960.

While Dick was enlisted, he married Eileen Lomas-Wardle on Aug. 22, 1953. Once he was discharged, they lived in Peabody, Massachusetts, where they had twins, Cathy and Debby, born on June 17, 1957. In 1962 they moved to Wilmington, Massachusetts. They loved to spend weekends out on the boat, a Grady White named DebCat, fishing in the ocean, enjoying the sun, looking for whales and just being together as a family. Camping for two weeks every summer at Long Lake Campground in Bridgton, Maine, was also a family tradition. He also loved the excitement of NASCAR auto races on TV and live at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

On March 24, 1979, Dick married Wendy Jeffreys. In 1988 they purchased property at Lake Shore Park on Lake Winnipesaukee. They purchased a 1980 Sea Ray they named Second Time Around. He continued his passion for boating on the lake. Dick loved classic cars and antique boats. Some favorite adventures with him include whale watches, hot air balloon ride, days at the race track, driving around the track at NH Motor Speedway, flying around the lake on a seaplane, family cruises on the Mount Washington where Dick got to meet the captain and steer the ship, boat ride around the lake on the classic wooden Millie B, watching him fly in a World War II Boeing PT-17 Tuskegee Stearman, visiting the Newport Classic Car Museum and more.

Dick was also a very active member of the North Reading Rifle Club, serving as president and treasurer for more than 40 years. He also was a long-time member of the pistol team and ran all the gun safety courses for 40 years.

Dick had a long career of 35+ years as an engineer at Honeywell, where he worked on projects for the military, aviation, for the NASA AIPM Satellite and some of the Apollo space missions, bringing the family down to the Kennedy Space Center to witness some exciting live launches.

Richard, Dick, Daddy, Papa will be remembered for his adventurous spirit, his love of family and his bright smile.

A celebration of life service will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at the Congregational Church, 220 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington, followed by a short veterans graveside service at the Wildwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, donate.cancer.org.