NEW GLOUCESTER – Richard “Dick” C. Mooney, 91, passed away peacefully on April 10, 2023.

He was born Oct. 30, 1931, to Francis and Gladys Mooney. Growing up in Auburn, he graduated from Edward Little High School in 1949, capping off his high school athletic career with a football state championship and All-State honors his senior year.

After graduating from Edward Little, he served in the U.S. Coast Guard, after which he began working in the woods. He would spend his entire life working in the logging and firewood business, cutting firewood well into his 80s, a testament to his hardworking nature. In 1960, he married Estelle Kiley, and they would move to New Gloucester together in 1968, where the two would raise five sons together.

Best described as an honest and hardworking family man, he loved to follow his sons’ (and, more recently, his grandsons’) sports and activities. He coached baseball and basketball in both Auburn and New Gloucester while his sons were growing up. As someone who himself raced stock cars at Oxford Plains Speedway in the 1950s, he spent much time there watching his sons race together.

He thoroughly enjoyed outdoor activities such as fishing and particularly deer hunting, and he could often be found out in his son’s bait shop selling bait or minding the Christmas tree sales and talking to customers. An avid sports fan, he also enjoyed watching and rooting for all the local teams–the Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots, and Bruins. Lastly, no family get-together was complete without his attendance. Dick was a loving husband, a caring father and grandfather, and he will be dearly missed by his loved ones.

Dick was predeceased by his parents, Francis and Gladys Mooney.

He is survived by his loving wife, Estelle, with whom he shared over 62 years; and his brother, Francis “Dee” and wife Joan, of Auburn. He further leaves behind his five sons, David and wife Monica of Wales, Robert and wife Wanda of Auburn, Donald of New Gloucester, William of Auburn, and James and wife Jaime of New Gloucester; his grandchildren, Kyle of Auburn, Adam and girlfriend Shelby of Wales, Stephanie of Wales, Angela of Monmouth, and Donald Jr. and fiancee Morgan of Auburn, parents to his two great-grandchildren, Khloe and Lucas of Auburn; several nieces and nephews; and several dear friends, including his brother-in-law, Bill Kiley of New Gloucester; and long-time coworker, Richard Chammings of Oxford. Lastly, he leaves behind his beloved German Shepherd, Bo.

His family would like to give special thanks to his nieces Kathy Mooney-Thayer and Mary Ritchie for bringing his brother, Dee, to visit him in his final days in hospice.

A celebration of life gathering is planned for Saturday, April 22 at the AMVETS Post 6 in New Gloucester from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Arrangements are under the care of The Fortin Group Funeral Home, 217 Turner St., Auburn, ME 04240, 207-783-8545.

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