Richard Edward Dahn

Richard "Dick" Dahn, a wonderful husband, father, and friend, passed on at home after a long battle with cancer at the age of 85.

"A man with a family is the richest man of all." Richard embraced these words wholeheartedly. Raised in Seymour, CT, he was one of the late Martha and Carl Dahn's nine children. He enjoyed time spent with his own seven children and his wife, Rosanne, above all else (a round on the golf course or a win for the Dallas Cowboys were a close second). His children, Tracy Niebling (Robert) of Cheshire; Richard Dahn (Lisa) of Naples, Florida; Heidi Casertano (Michael) of Meriden; Edward Dahn (Rose) of Florida; Allison Whittle (Dave Maxwell) of Middlefield; Jeffrey Dahn (Margo) of Bristol; Kyle Dahn (Jaclyn) of Wallingford remember with warmth his enthusiasm for hosting cookouts and special holidays, his embarrassing "dad" jokes, his love of western movies, and his sudoku mastery.

Richard's 12 grandchildren will never forget summer days spent at "Grandpa's pool" with cookouts and ice cream - always ice cream. Grandpa could usually be found on the sidelines of a game or in the audience of a performance. He was always generous with his compliments, encouragement, and back-breaking hugs.

Richard and Rosanne enjoyed 61 years of marriage devoted to each other. Onlookers loved to watch the couple circle the dance floor. They enjoyed their time together traveling, working in their yard, dining out, and caring for their grandchildren. They were devoted, active members of St. Joseph Church throughout their life in Meriden. Richard served as lector, gift collector, and a member of the parish council.

Although Richard cited his ambition to be a basketball coach in his Seymour High School yearbook, he ultimately found a career as a mortician. He brought comfort to families in the Meriden area for 47 years at John J. Ferry & Sons Funeral Home.

Sports were an integral part of Richard's life. A talented high school athlete, he was the captain of his football, basketball, and baseball teams, earning all-state recognition in all three. Richard continued to play football and basketball at the University of Bridgeport before transferring to Southern CT State University. After establishing himself in Meriden, Richard joined recreational teams in both softball and basketball where he forged many lifelong friendships. Meeting "his crew" of former teammates for Friday breakfast remained one of his favorite things to do.

Richard engaged himself in the Meriden community. He was a member of the Elks Club, the North Italian Club, the Meriden Rotary Club, and the Meriden Boys Club. Dick was inducted into the Boys Club Hall of Fame in 2004. He served as a corporator for over 30 years, as well as a member of the Boys Club Board of Directors and the Alumni Association. His favorite role was that of a coach in their basketball program. He was known for his intensity as well as for instilling fundamental skills in his players. His booming voice on the bench will be forgotten by few.

In 2014, Dick was inducted into the Seymour High School Sports Hall of Fame and was a Meriden Sportsmen of Distinction.

Richard was predeceased by his eldest grandchild, Richard Dahn III, his parents, and his five brothers and three sisters.

His family extend their sincerest gratitude to Dr. Gerard Fumo and the entire staff of MidState Hospital Oncology Department and the Hartford Hospital Hospice Department for the exceptional care they provided throughout his illness.

Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Sunday, April 16th from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the John J. Ferry & Sons Funeral Home, 88 E. Main St., Meriden, CT 06450. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 17th at Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish, St. Joseph's Church. Everyone is asked to meet directly at church. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Meriden Boys and Girls Club, 15 Lincoln St., Meriden, CT 06451 or at bgcmeriden.org/contact/. For online condolences, please visit jferryfh.com.