Richard Joseph "Rich" McCluskey

Richard Joseph McCluskey, known affectionately as Rich and "Pop Pop", passed away on October 28, 2023, in Boston, Massachusetts. He was born on June 26, 1946, in Salem, Massachusetts. Rich was a loving husband to Lois (Sweny) McCluskey and a proud father to Maura Parisi (Thomas), Sean McCluskey (Courtney), and Brendan McCluskey (Elizabeth). He instilled in his children the importance of character, integrity, and initiative. He cherished the time spent with his wife, family, and lifelong friends, creating countless memories together.

Rich is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren, Christina Parisi, Kelly Parisi, Jillian Parisi, Grace McCluskey, Connor McCluskey, Declan McCluskey, Owen McCluskey, and Ryan McCluskey. He also leaves behind his siblings, Maureen Gates (Charlie), Joan Brown (Bill), Eleanor Marino (Larry), Steven McCluskey (Ginny), and Patricia Rosanio (Tony), as well as numerous beloved nephews, nieces, and cousins. He is predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Eleanor McCluskey. Rich will be dearly missed by his military colleagues and friends across the globe.

Rich's educational journey began at St. Patrick's School in Stoneham, Massachusetts, followed by his high school years at Malden Catholic in Malden, Massachusetts. An Eagle Scout, Rich was the first in his family to go to college, furthering his education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Troy State University.

He embarked on his U.S. Navy career in 1968, when he reported to Officer Candidate School. Excelling in the field of cryptology, he entered Naval Intelligence in Pensacola, Florida, and received additional training in Monterrey, California before serving during the Vietnam War. Rich's dedication to his country took him to various duty stations around the world, including bases in Florida, California, the Philippines, Maryland, Spain, the Caribbean, Virginia, Japan, and Washington, D.C. Rich retired from the Navy in 1995 and continued to contribute his expertise as a trusted consultant to senior leadership within the intelligence community and the Navy. He narrowly escaped harm at the Pentagon on 9/11, and worked to save others on that fateful day. Upon retirement, Rich relocated to Venice, Florida, and Kennebunk Beach, Maine, where he enjoyed the beach life and volunteered for various charitable and community organizations that were meaningful to him. He volunteered as an educator at the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida, and at the Kennebunk Beach Improvement Association (KBIA) and the Eagle Rock Yacht Club in Kennebunk Beach.

Always on the go, Rich had a passion for traveling with his beloved wife, Lois. Together, they explored the world, from Antarctica to the Arctic Circle, embracing the beauty of nature and immersing themselves in the culture of each country they visited. Rich had a talent for photography and shared his adventures through his captivating images. He was a civic leader. He was an artist, a musician, a builder. He was a lover of animals.

A private service and celebration of Rich's life will be held by the family in Maine. In the future, an internment will take place at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that contributions be made to an organization dedicated to promoting the welfare of animals, cancer research, veterans, or the National Park Service.