Richard Lee Sykes

1931 - 2013

ENGLEWOOD, Fla. - Richard Lee Sykes, of Englewood, Fla., died Wednesday, June 5, 2013. He was born April 14, 1931, in Haverhill, Mass. to Thomas Holmes Sykes and Viola Frances Sprague. He had one sister who predeceased him.

Richard grew up in Portsmouth, and Suffolk, Va., where he graduated from high school in 1949. He graduated from Duke University, Durham, N.C. in 1953, where he was a varsity letterman and outstanding sprinter.

Richard was vice president of Nansemond Gas Corp., Suffolk, 1949-1955. Moving to Brattleboro, Vt. in 1956, he was a developer and partner of Brattleboro Shopping Plaza. Active in community affairs, The Vermont Jaycees voted him Outstanding Young Man of the Year in 1967. He was appointed by Governor Deane Davis to the Vermont Development Commission, 1969-1974. In Brattleboro he was President of the Rotary Club, 1962-1963; zoning Board of Adjustment, 1962-1975; member of the Vermont Board of Realtors, 1960-1970; trustee of the First Baptist Church; and participated in countless other community and state activities.

Moving to Weare in 1975, Richard was a founding partner of Sykes and Flanders Antiquarian Booksellers, 1975-2000 and of New Hampshire Book Auctions, 1985-2000. He retired in 2000, and moved to Englewood in 2003.

Richard is survived by the love of his life, Mary Adelaide Flanders. They were married in Weare on July 11, 1953. He also is survived by daughters, Rebecca Lee Sykes (Cary Butler) of Moretown, Vt., Katherine Chase Sykes Goulet (Jacques) of Manchester; and a son, Franklin Thomas Sykes of Wolfeboro; one granddaughter; three grandsons; and two great-grandsons.

He was predeceased by a daughter, Sarah Ann Sykes.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice, 1144 Veronica St., Port Charlotte, FL 32952.

The National Cremation and Burial Society is in charge of arrangements.