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Richard (Dick) Stearns
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL: Richard (Dick) Stearns, 80, formerly of Groveland,
MA died Saturday, March 15, 2008 at his residence.
He was born November 16, 1927 in Dedham, MA. He was a veteran of World
War 11, U.S. Navy, serving as a Pharmacist’s Mate in the Pacific
Theatre. Dick graduated from Lowell High School in 1944 and the University
of Connecticut in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration.
He worked for the Liberty National Life Insurance Co. in Boston after
graduation from college and as Membership Director of the YMCA in Worcester
from 1957-1962.
Dick served as Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Haverhill YMCA from
1962 to 1968 returning as Chief
Executive in 1969 and retired in 1985. He also served as C.E.O. in Greenwich,
CT and Framingham YMCAs. Dick was always active in sports and introduced
racquetball to the Haverhill area and was city champion for many years.
He was a competent tennis player and an avid fisherman who won many prizes
in competition in Martha’s Vineyard Island Striped Bass and Bluefish
Derby. He also enjoyed boating, golf, photography and gardening.
In 1985 he was presented a citation for Distinguished Community Service
in Haverhill by Mayor William Ryan. He was a charter member of the Haverhill
Council on Aging. He served as Executive Director for the Greater Haverhill
Industrial Management Club and was a Trustee of the Langley Adams Library,
serving as Chairman for several years. Dick was a member of the Haverhill
Rotary Club and Monday Evening Club. He served as Moderator of the First
Congregational Church of Haverhill and after marriage Sr. Warden of the
St. James Episcopal Church in Groveland. He was active in many United
Fund campaigns serving on the Speaker’s Bureau. Dick was Superintendent
of Riverview Cemetery in Groveland from 1986 to 2001 and was a member
of the Employees Insurance Advisory Committee of Groveland.
He was active in the Professional Societies of the YMCA and served on
the National Council of YMCA’s. He was a former Chairman of the
Eastern MA Collaboration of YMCA Executives and a past President of the
Regional Assoc. of YMCA Directors. After his retirement he served with
his wife as Secretary/Treasurer of the New England Chapter of Retired
Directors.
Dick moved to Port Charlotte in 1994 with his wife and daughter from Groveland.
He was a member of the Port
Charlotte Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International;
a member of the Port Charlotte Elks Club; Deep Greek Golf Club; the New
England and Florida Willis Chapter of the National Assn. of Retired YMCA
Directors; American Legion Post #248 in Groveland and Post #110 in Port
Charlotte.
He is survived by his loving family, his wife of 37 years, Elizabeth Ann
(Parker) Stearns of Port Charlotte; two sons, Mark (wife Suzi) Stearns
of Fairview, TN and Scott (wife Jennifer) Stearns of Groveland; a daughter,
Elizabeth Rebecca Stearns of Port Charlotte; two sisters, Phyllis Crane
of Millington, NJ and Helen Oliver of Readfield, ME; a step-sister, Alice
Burpee of Old Orchard Beach, ME; and 8 grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at a later date in Groveland. Interment
will be in the Riverview Cemetery in Groveland. Memorial contributions
may be made to Tidewell Hospice and Palliative Care, 5955 Rand Blvd.,
Sarasota, FL 34238 or the YMCA, 81 Winter Street, Haverhill MA 01830 or
the American Cancer Society, 992 Tamiami Trail, Unit C, Port Charlotte,
FL 33953. Arrangements by Dole, Childs & Shaw Funeral Home,
148 Main Street, Haverhill. Friends may visit at www.robersonfh.com
to sign the guest book and extend
condolences to the family.
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