Richard "Dick" O'Riley

Richard (Dick) O’Riley (82) of Ware, MA passed away peacefully at home on May 31st. Dick was predeceased by his son Rob in 2015.  He leaves behind his wife of 61 years, Joann. He also leaves behind his son Sean and his wife Gayle of Acton, daughter in-law Kerry Sue of Ware and daughter Colleen and husband Rob Mucha of West Brookfield. “Pepe” will be missed by his 6 grandchildren of whom he was SO proud!  Shelby and her husband Peter, Spencer, Kara, Griffin, Tyler and Riley.  He leaves behind many other close family members including brother and sister-in laws, nieces, nephews and half-siblings.

Dick graduated from Burlington VT High School in 1958 and was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.  He continued to spend as much time in Vermont as possible. Some of his best stories were re-collections of weekend trips with family and friends; many that included snowmobiling, skiing, canoeing, fishing and hunting in the states’ mountains, rivers and lakes.  His family has plans to carry on this legacy by “snipe” hunting in the hills of Vermont next spring.

Dick knew what it meant to work hard and take chances with new ventures.  Throughout the years, he established several successful businesses.  Dick was a natural and enthusiastic salesperson.  As such, he was skilled in negotiating deals and was often known to “flip a coin” to settle on ‘his’ price with a customer. His ability to remember faces and names served him well and many will recall his infamous “one-liners”. One of his most successful businesses was ROCOSO Used Auto Parts which he operated in Ware for 20+ years.  Dick was extremely grateful that dozens of his employees and customers became lifelong friends.

One of Dick’s greatest joys was sharing his love of the outdoors with others. He was an avid sportsman who enjoyed a good adventure.  He was proud to have earned his private pilot’s license and would take anyone on a flight that was willing to go! He completed his last skydive when he was 75 years old.  Whether you referred to him as  “Pepe”,“Uncle Dick”, or Mr. “O” there were not too many who didn’t have the opportunity to learn or experience something new with him.  It usually happened outdoors and it always included a life lesson you didn’t know you needed.

He cherished his family and worked hard to make his friends and his children’s friends feel a part of his clan. His family is ever so grateful to have had many wonderful memories of time spent together with all of you over the years. Thank you for the love, support and epic adventures.   As Dick neared the end of his life, he would often say that he had lived his life to the fullest and there wasn’t anything that he wished to do that he did not already have the chance to do.  

In lieu of flowers or memorial donations, the family is asking that you plan a new adventure and share the love of the outdoors.  Nothing would have made Dick happier.

The family will hold a celebration of life in Dick’s memory at a later date. 

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