1942 – 2014

SARASOTA, Fla. — Richard Lee Pratt, “Dick,” 72, passed away in the presence of his loving family in Sarasota, Fla., on Friday, Sept. 5.

Richard was born in Farmington on Jan. 6, 1942, to Lloyd and Doris Pratt. Dick, as he was fondly referred to, attended Farmington High School, Class of 1960. He was an outstanding athlete, lettering in four sports: football, basketball, baseball and track. He attended Penn State University, before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1962.

He enjoyed a 20-year military career, which included a tour in Vietnam, stationed in NhaTrang. His career brought him and his family across the world. They had homes in Limestone; Dayton, Ohio; Sembach AFB in Otterberg, Germany; Rapid City, S.D.; and Nashua, N.H., before in settling in Sarasota, Fla.

Upon his military retirement, he embarked on a 20-year civilian career with the U.S. Postal Service in Nashua, N.H., and Sarasota, Fla. Dick was an avid golfer and truly enjoyed being a member of the Finigans Golf Team at Heritage Oaks Country Club.

Richard is survived by Carolyn J. (Barrows), his loving wife of 51 years; a son, Thomas (Julie) Pratt, of Nashua, N.H.; a daughter, Julie (Robert) Cornell, of Jacksonville, Fla.; four grandchildren, Sarah Pratt of Milford, Mass., Senior Airman Jonathan T. Pratt of Ellsworth AFB, Rapid City, S.D., Amber Cornell of Tallahassee, Fla., and Amanda Cornell of Gainesville, Fla.; a brother, Ronald (Lorene) Pratt, of Farmington; and a sister, Betty (Les) Gatchell, of Jay. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Dick was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Frederick and his wife, Marion Pratt.