Richard Kenneth "Rick" Walker

12/13/1942 - 10/2/2025

Bozrah - Richard "Rick" Kenneth Walker, 82, of Bozrah, passed away peacefully Oct. 2, 2025, at Elmbrook Village. Born in Bennington, Vt., Dec. 13, 1942, he was the son of the late Donald and Cecilia Walker.

Rick proudly served his country in the United States Navy operating nuclear submarines before embarking on a long career at Millstone, where he worked as an nuclear power plant operator and shift manager for over 35 years. Eventually he retired to the driver's seat of a school bus, where he discovered that keeping a reactor steady was easier than keeping middle schoolers in their seats.

Above all, Rick was a man of deep faith and service. A devoted Catholic, he served for decades as a Deacon at St. Paul's in Waterford, where his ministry, wisdom, and unmistakable sense of humor left lasting marks on countless lives. He was just as likely to quote Scripture as he was to crack a joke, often managing to do both in the same breath.

Rick is survived by his loving wife, Sharon Ann Walker; his sister, Mary Wasielewski of Branson, Mo.; his children, Corinne (Bill) Banker, Cheryl Walker, Cynthia (Mark) Noniewicz, and David (Nicole) Walker; and by his grandchildren: Ben (Deanna) Banker, Tyler (Meg) Banker, Jennifer (Justin) Hicks, Tucker and Brady Noniewicz, Katie Teixiera, and Lucas and Mason Walker; and by his great-grandchildren, Blake Hicks, Avery Banker, and Skylar Banker. He was preceded in death by his brothers, William, Robert, Donald, Father David, Andrew and James Walker; his sister, Jean Walker; and his foster daughter and longtime family friend, Rachel Schriver.

Rick loved reading Scripture and telling jokes - sometimes bad ones, always memorable ones. His humor, kindness, fierce devotion to his wife and family, and unwavering faith will be deeply missed.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, at St. Paul's Church in Waterford, with burial to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Rick's memory to Unbound, an international nonprofit that was close to his heart: www.unbound.org/donate. Condolences may be shared on Richard's memorial page at www.neilanfuneralhome.com.

He'd want the last word here - so here's one for him: What kind of man was Rick? An out-standing one. . . .Now happily out-standing with God in heaven.