Obituary of Richard L. Dyer

Richard Louis Dyer of Ivoryton, CT died peacefully on July 24, 2018 surrounded by his loving family.  He was the beloved husband of Lydia M. Dyer (Reed). He was born in Framingham, MA on February 20, 1928 to Harris and Beatrice Dyer.  After his graduation from Framingham High School in 1946, he immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a radioman on the USS Rochester and USS Albany during World War II.  His tours included Argentina and Haiti. After serving his country, Richard went to work for Raytheon and the U.S. government in New Mexico.  He was proud to be part of the space program in Las Cruces and soon after took his family to California, Colorado, Florida, Washington, Vermont and finally settled in Connecticut where he began his second career at Electric Boat where he retired from after 30 years. Richard met his wife Lydia in Framingham in 1946 and they recently celebrated their 67^th wedding anniversary in July 1^st.  Richard became actively involved with the first response team in Ledyard and was a member of the fire cadet team.  He loved working with the local cub scouts, the Ledyard bussing companies and especially loved transporting special needs children for Project LEARN. One of Richard’s greatest joys in life was devoting his time to the Catholic Church. He participated in lay ministry programs, was a lector, a Eucharistic Minister, CCD instructor and along with his wife, Lydia, they started and guided the marriage preparation program for the Norwich Diocese.  Together they greatly enjoyed their small church communities of Preston, CT, Fayettesville, NC and Essex, CT.  Richard was also active in the emergency preparedness program for the homebound on the shores of North Carolina.  He was also an avid Red Sox fan, as a pitcher himself, and rooted for his team tirelessly. Besides his wife, Richard is survived by his seven children: Deborah, Susan (& Jerry Picardi), Peter, Daniel (& Cherry Dyer), Martha (& Michael Tomasko), Amy (& Justin Arsenault) and Sarah (& James Coulombe).  “Bompa” also leaves his beloved grandchildren: Adrian Tetreault, Jeffrey Picardi, Kerri Flanagan, Emily Picardi, Davonta Valentine, Michael Dyer, Matthew Dyer, TJ Dyer, Cody Dyer, Jessica Coffey, Jack Lawson, Lydia Mehok, Genevieve Mehok, Elijah Arsenault, Lillian Arsenault, Maura Raymo and Kaitlyn Raymo.  He also leaves 13 great grandchildren that were the light of his life. Richard greatly enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, big band concerts and singing with his wife.  He absolutely adored spending time with Lydia and the rest of his family.  His interests were many and varied.  A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 28, 2018 at Our Lady of Sorrows in Essex, CT. Donations in his name can be made to Middlesex Hospital Hospice, 28 Crescent St, Middletown, CT. To share a memory of Richard, or send a condolence to his family, please visit www.rwwfh.com. Arrangements by Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home in Centerbrook.