Obituary for Richard W. "Dick" Haley
Richard W. Haley passed away peacefully on November 25, 2022. Born in Islington, Massachusetts in October 1933 to Mary (Dimock) and Everett Haley, Richard (“Dick”) was one of eight children: Everett, Robert, William, John, Eleanor, Ronald, and Donald. As a child raised in the depression and World War II, the question wasn’t, “what did you have to eat today?” … it was “did you get to eat today?” The common purpose the Islington kids shared formed a bond with each other and for the town that was tested but never broken throughout life. Many of the townies grew up to be Westwood/Islington police officers, firefighters, teachers. Dick’s official role was serving 20 years with the Highway Department for the Town of Westwood. His unofficial role was as baseball coach for Westwood’s youth spanning over 30 years.
Dick met his future bride, Catherine Noon, at the Town Square Diner in Norwood, Mass. Working side by side, Cathy realized there was more to this man than charisma. He was a very hard worker, but somehow brought such fun and energy that it never felt like work when he was around. The two married in April 1955 and were together until her passing in 2019. That fun and energy was leveraged to raise six children, 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
When it was time to retire, Dick and Cathy sold their home on High Street and re-located to Kennebunk, Maine where they spent more than 20 years sharing their energy with another community at the Farragut.
Dick is survived by his brother, Ronald (Joan) Haley of South Yarmouth, MA, his sons: Richard Haley, Jr (Gail) of Foxboro, MA and Christopher Haley (Michele) of Framingham, MA; his daughters: Barbara Wefers (Roland) of Wells, ME, Judith Lull of Foxboro, MA, Kathleen Helwig (Charles) of Centreville, VA and Patricia Ames (Richard) of Framingham, MA.
Family wasn’t just a word to Dick. It was a philosophy he tried to share with his grandchildren: Jenna Mann (Paul), Anthony Haley, Jason Wefers, Haley Ledue (Gabrielle), Stephanie Haley, David Lull, Lauren Wefers, Alexandra DiBella (Nicholas), Alexandra Helwig (Andrew Larson), Richard Helwig, Sarah Haley, Caroline Ames, Sally Ames and the late RJ Sutherland.
Friends and family are welcome to join us as we laugh through a few tears and share stories to send Dick off with a virtual cigar and the M*A*S*H catchphrase, “Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em, Radar.”
No flowers please. Donations may be made to the Jimmy Fund.
Visitation will be held from 1:00 – 4:00 PM on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Gillooly Funeral Home, 126 Walpole St., Norwood, MA.
Dick met his future bride, Catherine Noon, at the Town Square Diner in Norwood, Mass. Working side by side, Cathy realized there was more to this man than charisma. He was a very hard worker, but somehow brought such fun and energy that it never felt like work when he was around. The two married in April 1955 and were together until her passing in 2019. That fun and energy was leveraged to raise six children, 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
When it was time to retire, Dick and Cathy sold their home on High Street and re-located to Kennebunk, Maine where they spent more than 20 years sharing their energy with another community at the Farragut.
Dick is survived by his brother, Ronald (Joan) Haley of South Yarmouth, MA, his sons: Richard Haley, Jr (Gail) of Foxboro, MA and Christopher Haley (Michele) of Framingham, MA; his daughters: Barbara Wefers (Roland) of Wells, ME, Judith Lull of Foxboro, MA, Kathleen Helwig (Charles) of Centreville, VA and Patricia Ames (Richard) of Framingham, MA.
Family wasn’t just a word to Dick. It was a philosophy he tried to share with his grandchildren: Jenna Mann (Paul), Anthony Haley, Jason Wefers, Haley Ledue (Gabrielle), Stephanie Haley, David Lull, Lauren Wefers, Alexandra DiBella (Nicholas), Alexandra Helwig (Andrew Larson), Richard Helwig, Sarah Haley, Caroline Ames, Sally Ames and the late RJ Sutherland.
Friends and family are welcome to join us as we laugh through a few tears and share stories to send Dick off with a virtual cigar and the M*A*S*H catchphrase, “Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em, Radar.”
No flowers please. Donations may be made to the Jimmy Fund.
Visitation will be held from 1:00 – 4:00 PM on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Gillooly Funeral Home, 126 Walpole St., Norwood, MA.