Obituary for Richard L. Sweeney
Richard L Sweeney 87, a beloved husband, father and Pa to his grandson and great-grandchildren, died on September 4, 2022, at Maine Medical Center in Portland.
Richard was born in Alfred on August 31, 1935, the son of Alphie C and Dorothy R (Ridley) Sweeney.
It was while Richard was working at the Waterboro Tannery that he met his soulmate and future wife Beryl Hamilton. They were married on September 1, 1958 and made their home in Springvale and shared in the joy of raising and loving their two daughters, Kellie and Debra. Richard served in the US Army from 1958-1960 and transferred into the Army Reservice until 1962.
Richard was better known to his sibling and close friends as Dick or “Sonny.” He was easy going, laid back and always happy. He was a dedicated hard working family man who put family first his entire life. He worked at Sprague Electric in Sanford for 40+ years and finally retired in 2001. Richard was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, ice fishing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking camping, hiking, biking, four wheeling with his wife, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, gardening, and spending endless hours in his woodlot cutting wood. There are many fond memories of swinging off the rope swing at Middle Branch Pond, climbing every trail on Mt Washington, in any type of weather, camping in North Conway in the rain, water skiing and going to Shaw’s Ridge Farm for an ice cream. As well as listening to his hunting and fishing stories. Richard also loved to watch his daughters play sports and later his grandson and great grandchildren.
Richard’s heart and all he stood for was providing and caring for his family. He and Beryl were blessed to have visited Hawaii, California, and Florida, but were most happy being in there home. There was nothing to compare to having the family together during the holidays and spoiling their grandson and great-grandchildren, Aiden, and Ella.
The many memories shared with his family will never cease to bring comfort and joy. He has finally been reunited with the love of his life Beryl. We know that this is where you want to be…. finally happy and at peace. We love you and may you find the best fishing hole, an abundance of rabbits and the perfect size deer in heaven.
Family survivors include his two daughters: Kellie Slattery and husband Steve of Sanford; Debra Sweeney-Riggillo and husband Marc of Texas; his favorite grandson, Ryan Williams and his husband Frankie Knowlton of Sanford, his great grandchildren Aiden and Ella Williams; three sisters; Elaine Needham of Dover, NH; Faye Lawrey of Farmington, NH and Pamela Sweeney of Manchester, NH; and several nieces and nephews.
Richard was predeceased by his wife of 59 years Beryl Sweeney and by his younger brother Ronald Sweeney.
A Graveside Service with Military honors will be held on Friday, September 16, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at Riverside Cemetery in Springvale.
Online condolences and tributes may be shared at Richard’s Book of Memories at www.bibbersautumngreen.com
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Springvale Fish and Game P.O. Box 348, Springvale, ME 04083.
Arrangements are entrusted to Bibber Memorial at Autumn Green, 47 Oak St., in Alfred.
Richard was born in Alfred on August 31, 1935, the son of Alphie C and Dorothy R (Ridley) Sweeney.
It was while Richard was working at the Waterboro Tannery that he met his soulmate and future wife Beryl Hamilton. They were married on September 1, 1958 and made their home in Springvale and shared in the joy of raising and loving their two daughters, Kellie and Debra. Richard served in the US Army from 1958-1960 and transferred into the Army Reservice until 1962.
Richard was better known to his sibling and close friends as Dick or “Sonny.” He was easy going, laid back and always happy. He was a dedicated hard working family man who put family first his entire life. He worked at Sprague Electric in Sanford for 40+ years and finally retired in 2001. Richard was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, ice fishing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking camping, hiking, biking, four wheeling with his wife, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, gardening, and spending endless hours in his woodlot cutting wood. There are many fond memories of swinging off the rope swing at Middle Branch Pond, climbing every trail on Mt Washington, in any type of weather, camping in North Conway in the rain, water skiing and going to Shaw’s Ridge Farm for an ice cream. As well as listening to his hunting and fishing stories. Richard also loved to watch his daughters play sports and later his grandson and great grandchildren.
Richard’s heart and all he stood for was providing and caring for his family. He and Beryl were blessed to have visited Hawaii, California, and Florida, but were most happy being in there home. There was nothing to compare to having the family together during the holidays and spoiling their grandson and great-grandchildren, Aiden, and Ella.
The many memories shared with his family will never cease to bring comfort and joy. He has finally been reunited with the love of his life Beryl. We know that this is where you want to be…. finally happy and at peace. We love you and may you find the best fishing hole, an abundance of rabbits and the perfect size deer in heaven.
Family survivors include his two daughters: Kellie Slattery and husband Steve of Sanford; Debra Sweeney-Riggillo and husband Marc of Texas; his favorite grandson, Ryan Williams and his husband Frankie Knowlton of Sanford, his great grandchildren Aiden and Ella Williams; three sisters; Elaine Needham of Dover, NH; Faye Lawrey of Farmington, NH and Pamela Sweeney of Manchester, NH; and several nieces and nephews.
Richard was predeceased by his wife of 59 years Beryl Sweeney and by his younger brother Ronald Sweeney.
A Graveside Service with Military honors will be held on Friday, September 16, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at Riverside Cemetery in Springvale.
Online condolences and tributes may be shared at Richard’s Book of Memories at www.bibbersautumngreen.com
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Springvale Fish and Game P.O. Box 348, Springvale, ME 04083.
Arrangements are entrusted to Bibber Memorial at Autumn Green, 47 Oak St., in Alfred.