RUMFORD – Richard “Dick” Horne, 68, of Route 2, died Saturday evening, Feb. 11, at his residence with his loving family at his side, after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

He was born in Rumford on July 2, 1937, a son of C. Herwood and Bertha M. (Gerrier) Horne.

Dick was educated in Mexico schools and was a graduate of Mexico High School, Class of 1954. Following graduation, he continued his education at Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield.

He served four years in the U.S. Air Force.

Following his service in the Air Force, Dick was employed with the Rumford Paper Mill for 35 years, retiring on Aug. 1, 1996.

Dick was a member of the Oakdale Country Club, the American Legion Post 24, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Rumford Lodge of Elks 862.

He loved spending time with his family and friends at summer deck parties at his home. Since his childhood he had been a loyal Boston Red Sox fan.

Dick’s incredible passion for athletics allowed him to live and experience his own personal version of the “Wide World of Sports.” The noontime basketball games at GRCC, softball games in the Oxie League, playing golf at Oakdale Country Club, and the numerous card and pool games with his “family” at the Rumford Elks Club allowed him to enjoy incredible friendships and the camaraderie that goes with playing and watching athletic competition. His enthusiasm and competitive greatness helped him succeed in his favorite game of all, the game of life. He will be greatly missed by everyone who competed with or against him from childhood through adulthood.

Surviving are his wife of 19 years, Jane (Parr) Horne of Rumford; his mother, Bertha M. Horne of Dixfield; three sons, Michael A. Horne and wife, Angie, of Richmond, Va., Todd L. Bernard and wife, Shirley, of Biddeford, and James J. Bernard and wife, Michelle, of Mexico; three daughters, Kathleen A. Horne of Medfield, Mass., Jeannie M. Walsh and husband, Tom, of Medfield, Mass., and Tracy Pinkham and husband, Stephen, of Rumford; one sister, Linda A. Bourassa and husband, Tim, of Mexico; and 13 grandchildren, Anthony, Rachel, Tara, Kevin, Michael, Ali, Emily, Sam, Jake, Abbey, Julia, Libby and McKenzie.

He was predeceased by his father, Herwood Horne, in 2001, and his first wife, Geraldine Horne, in 2000.

The family wishes to offer a heartfelt thanks to the staff at Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice for the wonderful care given to Dick during his illness.

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