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Richard Vickery Obituary
Fr. Vickery was a proud graduate of Holy Cross College, where he joined the ROTC at the outbreak of World War II. Following his graduation in 1944, he was posted to the San Diego, California Naval Station before being assigned to a Troop Landing Ship in the Pacific.
After the war, Fr. Vickery returned to Manchester. His calling to become a Catholic priest saw him enter St. Mary's Seminary, in Baltimore, Maryland, in August 1946. Fr. Vickery was then ordained by Bishop Matthew Brady on May 22, 1948. He was initially assigned to serve at St. Thomas Aquinas, in Derry. Following that assignment, Fr. Vickery was positioned at St. Joseph's Cathedral, in Manchester, in 1950, and then, in 1952, to Blessed Sacrament Parish. In 1962 he was assigned to St. Patrick Parish.
In 1965, Fr. Vickery was assigned to develop a new Parish in Newton, where he oversaw the planning and construction of the new Church and Rectory.
In 1969, while also serving in the New Hampshire Army National Guard, Fr. Vickery was assigned to a 10-month tour in Vietnam, where he served as an Army chaplain. Upon his return to Manchester, he was assigned to be the chaplain at the Manchester Veterans Hospital, a post he served well for 20 years before retiring from active duties for health reasons in 1993.
Fr. Vickery received many commendations and medals for his service to the United States. These include: the Army Meritorious Service Medal; the National Defense Medal; the WWII Victory Medal; the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 2 Hour Glasses; the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal; the Army Service Medal; the New Hampshire National Guard Commendation Ribbon; and the N.H. National Guard Service Bar with Seal.
In 2004, Fr. Vickery entered the Bishop Peterson Residence, where he enjoyed the company of fellow retired priests and a wonderful staff. In 2015 he entered Mt. Carmel Nursing Home, where he was well taken care of and beloved by all until the end. He will be missed by all who knew him, and particularly by his many nieces and nephews. .
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services: On Wednesday, March 11, 2015, the Rite of Reception of the Body will take place at Saint Joseph. Cathedral in Manchester. Father Vickery will lie in state in the Cathedral from 2 to 4 p.m. Father Vickery will also lie in state prior to the funeral liturgy on Thursday. The Most Reverend Peter A. Libasci, Bishop of Manchester, will preside at a Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Joseph Cathedral on March 12, 2015 at 11 a.m. The Rite of Committal will follow at Saint Joseph Cemetery in Bedford, New Hampshire. The Durning, Bykowski & Young Funeral Home at 285 Manchester St., Manchester, N. H. has care of the arrangements.
With faith and hope in eternal life, let us commend our brother to the love and mercy of God and assist him with our prayers. The statutes of the Diocese of Manchester request that we offer three Masses for the repose of his soul. Memorial donations may be made in his name to the Sisters Adorers of the Precious Blood, Monastery of the Precious Blood, 700 Bridge Street, Manchester, NH 03104-5495.Go to www.durningbykowskiandyoung.com to sign an on-line register.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Vickery
Bob and Valerie Tarbell
March 6, 2022
Memories of you are still around and you are still cherished and honored for all you had done for so many. We think and still talk of you often! May Peace continue to be with you!
Robert Delisle
May 13, 2018
May12,2018
He will continue to live on in the memories of all of the people he has touched especially a former English student of his at BBHS in 1912.
Thank you!
Tom Thibodeau
March 17, 2015
I worked at the VA Hospital when he was there, He always wanted me to get a brush cut like him. rest in peace Father
Bob Kenison
March 17, 2015
I had Fr. Vickery for four(!)years of Latin at BBHS in the mid-1950s. Simply because I had that tenure, not because I was especially good, on a couple of occasions he was skiing on early weekend trips and had me "conduct the class" on those Fridays. His handling of Caesar, Cicero, and Vergil, as well as basic composition and grammar, were masterful to this schoolboy's eyes. Just his insights alone into vocabulary were memorably helpful.
One day between classes I was showing him some tricks on a yo-yo. There popped in on us Brother Alfred, the formidable Principal of BBHS. Instead of stepping in front of me or otherwise distracting from the yo-yo demonstration, Fr. Vickery said to Brother Alfred, "hey, look at these tricks, Brother."
He was a good teacher, a man with a sense of humor, and the epitome of what the priesthood produces at its finest.
Lori Gunther
March 14, 2015
Fr. Vickery was an encouraging inspiration to me while I was in college. Thanks for all your help and love of animals.
March 13, 2015
Fr. Vickery was an Exceptional Person always with a smile, a blessing and some humor, He is one in a Million!! I knew him from being there together at the MVAMC. God Bless And Rest In Peace. Annie Maltais Bradenton, Florida .
Robert Clinton
March 13, 2015
May he rest in peace! I served with Father Vickery in the New Hampshire Army National Guard. He was a wonderful Chaplain; a true friend of all Guardsmen. Rest assured he is now with his God after a life of great service to his Church and mankind. Thank you for your service.
Bob Flanders
March 12, 2015
I will always remember Father Vic for his quick Masses and spellbinding sermons. Ever the strong guy with a heart of gold. Someone to look up to in my youth. He never changed...
I was so pleased to learn of his long and productive life. Rest in peace
John Doiron
March 12, 2015
Fr. Vick. thank you so much for all the help at BBHS. A great man and a great priest. Hope to see you one day with The Lord
Maurice Daneault
March 12, 2015
From a graduate of the BBHS class of 1960, may you rest in peace Father Vickery.
March 11, 2015
Fr. Dick and my mother were cousins although almost like brother and sister as their families grew up together. He became like an uncle to me and my 8 siblings spending as much time as possible with us as we were growing up. Whether playing golf at the Lake in Vermont during the summer or skiing on the slopes during the winter, Fr. Dick enjoyed spending time with us as we did with him. Always with a smile on his face, this kind, gentle man was a blessing in our lives. He may be gone, but never forgotten.
David Woodruff Manchester, N.H.
Edward F. Mele, Jr.
March 11, 2015
Dear Family,Bishop Peterson Home, Mt. Carmel Nursing Home,
We met Fr. Vickery at the Peterson House several times when two councils of the KOC held barbecues, one from Manchester the other from Goffstown and
during the Epiphany when a council from Nashua put on a party for the Fathers. We always made sure we talked with Fr. He loved being a priest and he was a wonderful role model fro young men.
Our prayers,
Mr. & Mrs. Edward F. Mele, Jr
PSD Knights of Columbus
Joe Conway
March 11, 2015
It was a privilige to be Fr. Vickery chaplins assistant in the National Guard.
God Bless.
Brian Chadwick
March 11, 2015
Father Vickery taught me at BBHS back in the sixties. A great teacher and friend to all. Played golf with my father, Red Chadwick, and also got his clothes from him at Kennedy's next to city hall. What a great guy. Saw you last at the Puritain. Rest well my friend!
Joseph Baroody
March 10, 2015
Father Vickery was my favorite teacher at Bishop Bradley High School class of 1958. I always looked forward to our class with him as our teacher. I was fortunate to have him come in my life in my youth at BBHS.May Your Memory Be Eternal.
March 10, 2015
Fr. Vickery will always be remembered as an effective leader, teacher, friend. Any one who could make me take two years of Latin had to be all of the above. He will be missed but never forgotten as I feel so blessed for having known him.
Paul Jeannotte Jr. Class of 58
March 10, 2015
Father Vickery made Latin an enjoyable. He enjoyed life, I enjoyed his stories of his trips to football games all over the country. I remember his rushing after school to meet his golf buddies on the 7th tee at the Derryfield Country Club.
Dr. Ed Champagne
March 10, 2015
Like many others, I was a BBHS student. Father Vick was different from some of the priests we all knew.He had lived a traditional life for those times; high school, college, army, and then national guard. Add that to his theological training and his personality, you had a formidable man. He was terrific and we all respected him to the utmost. I am glad he lived such a long life so that others could benefit from his servant approach to life.
DONALD MANOLY
March 10, 2015
I MET FATHER VICKERY WHEN I WAS A STUDENT AT BBHS IN 1961. I ALWAYS ADMIRED HIS SELF CONFIDENCE, HIS COMPASSION AND UNDERSTANDING OF HIS STUDENTS. HE WILL BE MISSED BY ALL WHO KNEW HIM. HE IS NOW WITH GOD, HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS. RIP FATHER VICKERY.
William Fleece
March 10, 2015
Farewell dear friend. I vividly remember helping you move from your seaside retreat and saluting people as we drove out of the park. We shared some interesting discussions together comparing your faith to mine. If Marie were here she would join me in wishing for your soul the Priestly Blessing of Aaron.
"May The Lord bless you and keep you;
May The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
May The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace."
March 10, 2015
a good soul - requiescat in pace, vick
March 10, 2015
Godspeed Fr. Vickery
We have been so blessed through the years with Fr.Vickery's friendship. He always remembered us in his prayers for our family and all the masses for our wedding anniversaries. We have so enjoyed his company at the Puritan Backroom and the car trips to the lake , especially the fall foliage around Lake Massabesic. He always spoke so lovingly of his nephews and nieces and of the Devine family.
Gerry had Fr. Vickery as an English teacher at Bishop Bradley High school and then as chaplain in the National Guard and his visits to our store on Webster street was always a pleasure.Our love and gratitude always to this wonderful man. God bless dear friend we will miss you! Gerry & Muriel Hebert
John F Kane
March 10, 2015
With A Flight of Angels..
Mickey (Amity) Wilczek
March 10, 2015
Father Vic was a treasured fixture in my childhood and those of so many of the Devine family. I will always remember his great kindness and patience and generosity. Whether we were eating a sherbet snack, or playing ball with the dogs, he always had a smile and a moment to share. When I would fill up the whole staircase to his room with an elaborate animal city, he would not only navigate through this without complaint but would ask me the story behind each and every one of the scenes I'd constructed. Fr. Vic, you were a great model to me.
I will miss him and those "Crusher" hugs mightily.
Bill Prystas
March 10, 2015
Rest in peace, Father Vickery. ~ Bill Prystas, BBHS, Class of '56
elaine pelchat
March 10, 2015
thank you for giving so much love to the world and to the many young soldiers whom you have blessed. You will be missed.
Valerie Zaleski
March 10, 2015
I met Father Vickery when he would come to MVAMC to visit our veteran patients and staff on Ward 3. His eyes were so bright and sparkling as he spoke to us.
He always acknowledged our healing hands and hearts towards our patients.
I am sure he is looking at us from above with that beautiful smile of his.
God Bless and Keep You Father Vickery.
March 10, 2015
Father Vickery was one loved teacher on the hill during the years I knew him and will miss him dearly as the years pass. May he rest in peace and look forward to seeing him again on judgment day.
John Gorski
BBHS Class of 61
Olympia WA.
Lucien Trudeau
March 10, 2015
FR. Vickery was a great man down to earth and gave us lots of good advice along the way. I knew him from Bishop Bradley High School. He will be missed.
Earl Kneeland
March 10, 2015
It was an honor to serve as an alter boy under Fr. Vickery at Mary Mother of the Church during my youth! A very fine and kind man. May you rest in peace!
Paul Porter
March 10, 2015
As a student at Bishop Bradley High School - class of '57- it was my good fortune to have Father "Vick" as one of my teachers, Latin to be specific. His military background made him a strong but fair disciplinarian which at that stage of our lives we certainly needed. No doubt he will be one of the Lord's commanding officers in heaven.
Cathy Daniels
March 10, 2015
I knew Fr. Vickery from when I worked at the VAMC. He was a shining light everytime he came on the floor I worked on. Always a smile on his face. Not a St. Patrick's day that goes by that I don't think of him in his Green Suit with that twinkle in his eye. My condolences to his entire family.
Cathy Daniels
Bob Patrick
March 10, 2015
What a wonderful dedicated individual. These are big shoes to fill. Met Fr. Vic when he taught latin at St. Joe;s High School Than got reunited at the NH Army National Guard,as his Helicopter Pilot, our code sign was lets go for a chopper ride.
I thank you for your devoted service to the military as military man and all the caring and sharing in civilian life.
Kent Hutchinson
March 10, 2015
Great Latin Teacher @ BBHS
Thomas Benard
March 10, 2015
Proud to know and serve such a wonderful man. I served Mass for him @ St. Joseph Cathedral, I knew him @ Bishop Bradley High. I served in Vietnam and today I find out so did he. I can still hear his voice narrating the Mass @ Bishop Bradley High. May he rest in Peace in the Glory of God!
Go With God Father Vickery!
Stephen Smith, M.D.
March 10, 2015
Now this man was a priest in the very best sense! A war hero turned chaplain to other war heroes, he lived up to all expectations of what a Catholic priest could and should be. Always a gentleman, he ministered to everyone in a very kindly and compassionate manner. I remember him very well from my stint as a consultant at the Manchester VA Hospital and I know that he was truly loved by the staff at the Bishop Peterson Residence. We can only hope that other such men (?women) will follow in his giant footsteps.
Jack Murphy
March 10, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are with you Fr. Vickery. God Bless +
I first met Fr. Vickery when I was in grammar school at St. Catherine Parish. I recall how quickly he went threw the mass, no doubt from doing it quickly while a Chaplain in the service.
At the same time, I wanted to go into the priesthood when I grew up and must have spoken to him about it, because he sent me a note saying "we need good men for the priesthood." However, that thought went away after I entered HS and discovered girls.
It was 20 years +/- before I saw Fr. Vic again at Henry's Sunoco while we were both gassing up our cars, but he remembered me.
I last saw Fr. Vickery at The Backroom. He was there for lunch and was still the same old Fr. Vickery.
Take care, Fr. Vickery, and I'll see you up above.
Father Vickery at Thanksgiving dinner
Betsy Devine
March 9, 2015
Like my brother Kevin and my cousin Cassie, I have many warm memories of Father Vickery's kindness from the time we are all just kids. He grew up on Ray Street with my dad and Uncle Shane, so the two families became close then and stayed that way his whole life. I also had the privilege of meeting the children of his brother Glenn. He taught high school Latin for many years, I an also met many of his former students who never forgot how much they liked him way back then. Father V was open-hearted and kind to everyone he met. I am sure he is up in heaven swapping some great stories with every single angel he meets, and that they are loving him, just as we did.
Father Vickery in 1989 at family backyard picnic with blended family including Devines
Betsy Devine
March 9, 2015
90th birthday!
March 9, 2015
Rest in peace our dear uncle. We will miss his kindness and warmth. We will miss that special sparkle in his eyes that reflected his sense of humor and enthusiasm for life. Our many fond memories will keep him forever in our hearts.
Linda (Vickery) Dainton, husband Albert and our children Richard, Brian, Kelly and Ashley
Cassie Devine
March 9, 2015
Goodbye "Crusher", also known as the Penguin, and best beloved family padre of the Devine clan. We will miss you so!
Love, Cassie Devine & family
Kevin Devine
March 9, 2015
Fr. Richard F. Vickery grew up in Manchester on Ray Street, just across the street from the family of the late Maurice F. Devine. He and his late brother, Glen, became life-long friends with the Devine family, and were always referred to by the Devines as "cousins." That is how I, a grandson of Maurice, came to know Fr. "Vic" at an early age. And we remained great friends throughuout his life. I was blessed to be able to take care of his needs as he aged, just as he had taken care of me when I was young (age 12) and my father passed. He swooped in and took me skiing, to the beach, and made sure I was involved in sports to keep my hands busy. In the greater Devine family, including the children of Shane and Mary Devine, he was a constant presence at all family gatherings. His blessings were the highlight of every Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas family feast. We will miss our wonderful friend, Fr. Vic.
Kevin Devine
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