Henry Richard Wilcox

Westbrook, Connecticut- Henry Richard "Dick" Wilcox, 82, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 24, 2016 after a period of declining health. Dick was born in Middletown, Connecticut, eldest son of the late Henry A. and Louise (Gustafson) Wilcox. In 1955, Dick and his brother, Donald P. Wilcox, founded Wilcox Fuel Company in Westbrook, Connecticut. The company was later sold when Dick retired at age 55, and continues to thrive in Westbrook as Wilcox Energy. Dick was very involved in the Westbrook community. He was a member of the Westbrook Elks Lodge #1784. He served on many boards and committees for various civic organizations and businesses, a concerned and involved citizen. He was a volunteer fireman and Fire Chief for the Westbrook Volunteer Fire Department. A longtime family member of the Westbrook Congregational Church, he with his brother donated fuel from their company to heat the church each winter. Living on the shore was natural, treasured and ultimately essential. Commanding a ship on the open water, whether it was a 6' dinghy or 42' launch was his complete enjoyment, his favorite escape. He was compelled to share this passion with so many friends, his pure pleasure. The Wilcox family was established and thrived in Westbrook for five generations. Dick also lived in Clinton, CT; Pompano Beach, Florida, and most recently at the American Inn in Southwick Massachusetts. Dick met his wife, Shirley Goodhue, at the Westbrook Grammar School while they were in 7th and 8th grade. Together they enjoyed 66 inspiring years of marriage. In addition to his wife Shirley, Dick is survived by his two daughters; Leslie Wilcox Cheever and son-in-law, Norman W. Cheever Jr. of South Berwick, Maine; Nancy Wilcox Brown-Roy and son-in-law, Keith G. Roy of Southwick, Massachusetts; brother and sister-in-law, Donald P. and Maureen Wilcox of Clinton, CT; three adored grandchildren, Dylan Rae Brown, Stephanie Kym Cheever and Richard Wilcox Brown, along with many beloved nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00PM on Sunday October 23, 2016 at the Westbrook Congregational Church, 1166 Boston Post Road, in Westbrook, Connecticut In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either Westbrook Congregational Church, 1166 Boston Post Road, Westbrook, CT 06498 or to Westbrook Volunteer Fire Dept. 18 S. Main St., Westbrook, CT 06498. Honoring the wishes of the family is Southwick Forastiere Family Funeral & Cremation, 624 College Highway, Southwick, MA. www.forastiere.com