RUMFORD — Richard W. Hemingway, 89, longtime resident of Rumford, passed away peacefully Friday, Nov. 17, with his devoted companion, Joyce Welch, at his side.

“Tricky Dick” was born and raised in Farmington, the 13th of 14 children born to Frank and Sadie (Stoddard) Hemingway. After graduating from Farmington High School, Richard moved to Rumford in 1949 to work for the Oxford Paper Company, where he retired as a millwright with 44 years of service and proud membership in Local 900 UPIU. He married Freda Saunders in 1950, with whom he had three sons. After divorcing years later, he and Joyce became a couple until his death. Richard enjoyed playing cards with longtime friends Blackie Parise, Bob Cayer, Phil Bernard, Whitie Adams, Chendy Chenard and others at the farm of Tom Welch (Joyce’s father). Richard was also an avid bowler on the men’s league in his younger days and on the couple’s league with Joyce later in life.

Richard was an avid outdoorsman. He took his young family camping each year to places like the Stetson Lands. He loved to hunt deer with his brother, Walter, in Farmington, and then his sons in the Peru and Mexico areas. His eldest son, Randy, would take him fly-fishing on Rapid River. He tried smelting, rabbit hunting, trolling, brook fishing, partridge and moose hunting.

“Tricky Dick” liked to play the stock market and watch the ticker tape. Dick wintered in Florida a few times. Joyce and he traveled by bus to various destinations such as Branson, Mo., Nashville, Tenn., and flew to Hawaii. Richard later enjoyed taking Joyce out to various eateries and spending time at Joyce’s family camp on Webb Lake. Joyce’s granddaughters, Lindsey and Alison Kerr, didn’t let Richard win a hand of UNO very often. Richard also loved to get his “Just desserts” with Joyce’s daughter, Becky and husband, Mark Kerr and their daughters, Alison and Lindsey.

Richard is survived by his loyal companion, Joyce Welch, of Mexico; former wife, Freda Russell, of Peru; sons, Randy and wife, Theresa of Mexico, Gary and wife, Donna of Canton, and daughter-in-law, Yvonne of Canton; grandchildren, Rodney and wife, Ashley of Halifax, Mass., and Richard and Kelly of West Bridgewater, Mass., Ryan of Rumford, Jessica of Norway; step-grandchildren, Jason of Portland, John of Buckfield and Sarah of Mexico; four great-grandchildren; brother, Walter and his wife, Maxine of Tenn.; sister-in-law, Elizabeth of Houlton; nephew, Darrell Comstock of Mexico; and many more nieces and nephews. Richard was predeceased by his son, Ronnie; his brother-in-law, Jim Saunders; sisters, Ina, Romaine, Mary, Bertha, Viola, Barbara; and brothers, Willis, Robert, Harold (Stub), Leon, Ray and Frank.

Richard will be missed by all who knew him. The family would like to thank the Rumford Community Home for their wonderful care, and to Joyce for her loving dedication to Richard.

Friends and family are invited to sign the online guest book and share memories with the family at www.meaderandson.com.

Richard W. Hemingway

Richard W. Hemingway