Obituary of Richard Powers

Richard J. “Dick” Powers, a resident of Burlington for 39 years, passed away at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center on Thursday morning, April 10, 2008. The husband of Lynda E. ( Addison ) he was 66 years old. Dick was born in Cambridge. He was the son of the late Joseph and Helen Powers. He was raised and educated in Cambridge. He was a veteran of the Vietnam Era War serving his country in the United States Army. Dick was employed for 34 years at Raytheon as a Logistics Specialist, working on the Seasparrow Missile program. He worked in the Bedford, Waltham , Wayland, and Sudbury locations. Dick and his wife Lynda settled in Burlington in 1969. He was involved in his sons' sports activities coaching both soccer and baseball. His family was his top priority as he always offered his time and expertise whenever necessary. Dick enjoyed vacationing in Scarborough, Maine. He loved spending time with his wife at the oceanside. He preferred to be active and enjoy the outdoors. He enjoyed traveling, and he was an avid reader. He also thoroughly enjoyed home improvement projects. Dick’s wife of 40 years, Lynda, and his two sons, Derek and David, were the most important part of his life. Richard was the beloved husband of Lynda E. ( Addison ). He was the loving father of Derek of Burlington and David of Somerville. He was the brother of Joseph of Falmouth, Nancy Kelley of Falmouth , Janet Hegarty of Arlington , Robert of Arlington, and the late John. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Monday, April 14 at 8 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Malachy’s Church, 99 Bedford St. , Burlington at 9 a.m. Visiting hours Sunday 4-7 p.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Dick’s name may be made to a charity of your choice. Derek and David's Eulogy for their Dad If you asked my father what was his favorite place in the world, he would say: &quote;my own home.&quote; He took care of his home, his beloved wife and his sons with great devotion and love. He was at his happiest raking the yard, painting the shutters or putting up shelves in the basement. My parents traveled every year and sometimes oftener. They have been to Hawaii three times, on several cruises and vacationed in many parts of this country. But my father always looked forward to being in our home with his family. He took courses in electricity, carpentry and plumbing among other useful skills, which he used not only in our house, but also in the homes of relatives or neighborhood friends. He married the love of his life when they both were young and they became more in love every day. As the years went on they were inseparable. You couldn't think of my father without my mother or vice versa. My brother and I were inspired by their devotion for one another. He treated us, his sons, with such patience teaching how to skate, or read, or learn our spelling words - he even had the courage to teach us to drive. He was so good to my grandmother as well. After he retired he took her out to breakfast or lunch every Friday. He loved the popcorn I made. He and I would sit watching a game and eating popcorn. Words weren’t necessary. It was just time we enjoyed being together. My father had a strong faith. He enjoyed quiet times in prayer or singing praise songs. He will be right at home in his new home with His God and the loving relatives who have been waiting to welcome him. We feel truly blessed to be raised by our mother and father. My father was the go-to person anytime you needed a helping hand. Derek mentioned my father's penchant for fixing things. Several years ago I bought a real fixer upper in Somerville. His eyes lit up. In a short time, he turned my two-bedroom house into a beautiful 3 bedroom home complete with all the fixings. He never once complained, rather showed up each morning with his tools and measurements ready to get to work. He did this for the sole reason that I was his son and he loved to share his many skills. My dad loved sports but even more so, he loved to keep things clean and looking new. These two affinities collided when I was playing Little League baseball. He had recently purchased me a new glove and oiled it up and wrapped a ball in there with rubber bands to “break it in”. I used this glove when I was pitching the game of my life (something like a 2 hitter going into the last inning). He signaled me over to the stands in between innings and proceeded to tell me what a great job I was doing on the mound. He then looked me in the eye and said, “Would you please stop throwing that new glove in the dirt when you come off the mound.” If my father had a motto it would be &quote;do everything the honest way, even if nobody is watching”. Not long ago he had surgery on his back in the Maine Medical Center. He was so surprised to wake up with no pain that he walked down the hall, found a computer room and sent an email telling my mother how happy he was to be pain free. Several days later he got a call from a “representative” at the hospital saying that his email had caused a major breach in the security system and they regretted having to fine him $150. The “representative” was in fact his good friend Bill, playing a joke on him. My dad’s surprised reaction typified his honest nature. We will miss my father more than words can express. He was the heart and soul of our family. We are comforted by the fact that he is in Heaven with God, that he will always be at our side and that the lessons he taught us will be our backbone and our strength. My dad loved all of you, as I am sure you loved him. May he rest in peace. In closing, I would like to leave you with the words that my dad lived by and left in writing on his bedroom dresser … In happy moments, Praise God In difficult moments, Seek God In quiet moments, Worship God In painful moments, Trust God In Every moment, Thank God Amen.