1925 – 2014

SCARBOROUGH — Richard A. O’Connell, 88, formerly of Lewiston and South Portland, died Sunday, May 18, at the Maine Veterans’ Home in Scarborough.

Dick was born and raised in Lewiston, the son of Dr. George and Claire Nugent O’Connell. He graduated from Lewiston High School in 1943, and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II in the Pacific as a signalman.

He graduated from the New England Institute of Embalming in Boston, Mass., in 1949. He later served as a representative of several ambulance and funeral coach distributors for 30 years throughout New England. Along with this, he enjoyed buying and selling unique autos, antiques and memorabilia.

Dick will be remembered by those with whom he dealt as generous and helping — shrewd in his bargaining, but always as a man of his word; he was one of the remaining few whose handshake meant more to him than the contract.

Dick is survived by two sisters, M. Elizabeth “Betty” Bolduc of Cape Elizabeth and Claire (Jim) Reuwer of Evansville, Ind., as well as 10 nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his sister, Lucy; and his brother, George B. O’Connell, M.D.

The family wishes to thank the staff of the Maine Veterans’ Home in Scarborough who cared for Dick with professionalism, dignity and respect.