May 02, 1934 – November 30, 2021
Richard J. “Dick” Lucey, a longtime resident of Reading passed away at his home surrounded by his loving family on November 30, 2021. He was 87 years of age.
“No man was ever shot by a woman, while washing dishes”… Words to live by. Visitors to Pat and Dick Lucey’s Reading home may recognize that phrase from a small plaque hanging by the kitchen sink, where Dad could often be seen ensuring his good health. There are others. I recall one with advice on how to tell a man to go to… um… to give him unfortunate directions, and have him look forward to the trip! Through the years there hung a “Children Learn What They Live” banner to guide their (and eventually their children’s… and now grandchildren’s) parenting skills. Perhaps the one that captures Dick Lucey most succinctly hangs in the front hall. It reads “The greatest gift a man can give his children is to love their mother.” Dick Lucey was exceptionally generous in this regard.
Dick Lucey and his brother Frank were born and raised in the Springfield Mass area by Pa/Frank Sr. and Gramma/Peg (O’Sullivan) Lucey. Dick met Pat in High School and they were married in a hurricane in 1955. The wedding weathered that storm and the marriage was all the stronger. Pat is from a family of ten, which made for a large extended family that was and is still, very close. Dick worked for many years at Teradyne Corp in Boston and traveled extensively as an Engineering and Marketing Manager to Texas, Japan, China, Australia, and Europe. He was a successful Engineering Manager throughout his career and was involved in several smaller companies, including his own later in his career.
Dick graduated from WPI on an ROTC plan and spent two years with Pat in New York City after college. After a brief stop in Revere, Pat and Dick began building a life on Charles Street in North Reading. They started their family (5 boys!) there. After moving to “139” in Reading they were blessed with a daughter as well, and their life was working out according to plan.
In 1976, Dick’s eldest son and namesake “Ricky” died in a car accident. He was in college and was awaiting a bright future. This was an event that can break many families. Dick’s love for Pat shone brightest then, and as they emerged from their grief, the love and family they shared grew all the stronger. And as a team, they set out upon their second life. One largely guided by service to others. In ways small and large, but mostly understated. Dick was more of a do-er than a preacher.
Active members of St. Agnes Parish in Reading, Pat and Dick were also involved in the Christian Cursillo program at St Basil Salvatorian Center in Methuen. Ricky attended a Teen Encounter weekend there when he was in high school, and they became involved in the community. Dick was on Team for many Cursillo, Rector for several and “The Wise Man” for Cursillo teams as well. His and Pat’s
involvement at St Basil’s was the foundation of their recovery from Ricky’s loss, and has remained a source of strength and comfort to them both throughout the years. They have passed the experience on to their children and grandchildren
Many knew Dick’s generosity on a more personal level. If you were in need, Dick would find a way to help. Whether something simple like a loan, or tragic like the loss of a child, Dick would be quietly by your side supporting however he could. His “open door” policy was legendary among any number of nieces, nephews, old friends or new who needed a place to live for a while. Eventually Pat and Dick took that service to people who had no homes, or at least no open doors. They volunteered to run Cursillo and Meditation programs for the men inside Norfolk Prison. Often the men would thank them for visiting when no one else would. Dick’s reply was always the same “It’s been my pleasure.” And it was. That weekly excursion was one of the true joys of Dick’s later life.
There were so many joys in Dick’s life. Weddings! Graduations! Grandchildren! Great-grandchildren (each of them “perfect”). Throughout his life, Dick remained active as he could. He was an avid tennis player. He and Pat have an extensive network of friends as a result of that hobby. While he instilled a love of tennis in his children, skiing and camping were the real family activities. Whether lacing up 6 pairs of ski boots (yes, they used to lace) or waterskiing an endless line of kids until the sun went down, Cold Springs, NH and Lake George, NY were the places he loved to gather his family. The Lake George vacation maybe Dick’s enduring legacy. The family recently gathered there last year to mark 50 years of Island camping! There were over 30 family members from 4 generations present!
As in any life, there were challenges as well. And Dick always accepted them and put one foot forward to move on through. A favorite expression was “You cannot control the wind, but you can adjust your sails”. So towards the end, Dick adjusted his sails as best he could to enjoy as much time as he could with his family. And when there was no more to adjust, he left this world with family at hand and love abounding. Dick Lucey was a good man, a spiritual man, and a contented man. And perhaps that’s because at his core Dick was about love. Love for “others”, for family, and especially the gift that is his love for Pat.
His six children, 13 grandchildren, and four Great-grandchildren are grateful for that gift.
Dick was the beloved husband of Patricia J. (Boyle) Lucey. Devoted father of Thomas J. Lucey of Chelmsford, Michael R. Lucey and his wife Marie of Reading, James E. Lucey and his wife Marguerite of Wakefield, Stephen D. Lucey and his wife Marianne of Newburyport, Ellen M. McManus and her husband Jeffrey of Methuen and the late Richard J. Lucey, Jr. Cherished brother of Francis P. Lucey, Jr. and his wife Lois of Enfield, CT. Loving grandfather of 13 and great grandfather of 4. He is also the former father-in-law of Susan Mancini-Lucey of Wakefield.
His funeral will be held from the Douglass, Edgerley and Bessom Funeral Home 25 Sanborn St. (corner of Woburn St.) on Monday, December 6 at 9:30 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Agnes Church 186 Woburn St. Reading at 10:30 am. Burial to follow at Forest Glen Cemetery, Reading. Funeral home visiting hours are Sunday from 4-8 pm.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Richard’s memory to St. Basil Salvatorian Center 30 East St. Methuen, MA 01844.
