Richard J. Stark

Groton - Richard J. Stark, 79, of 26 Plant St., Groton, died Wednesday evening, Feb. 15, 2006, at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital in New London.

He was born in Riverhead, N.Y., on Nov. 2, 1926, the son of John C. and Mary (Gaynor) Stark.

Richard married Ann Killian on March 29, 1956, in the principality of Monaco. Ann died April 11, 2001.

He graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in 1946. He then served in the Merchant Marines and the U. S. Navy from 1947 until his retirement as a lieutenant commander in 1967. After his military retirement, he worked as a senior engineer and program manager at Electric Boat Company, retiring in 1988.

Dick was also very involved with city politics, serving as a city councilor from 1973 to 1981 and then from 1987 until 1993, also serving as deputy mayor. He served as a utilities commissioner from 1999 until 2004, served on the Waterfront Commission from 1979-1981, on the Harbor Management Commission from 1993-1998, on the Groton Water Task Force from 1992-1993 , and the SE CT Water Authority Advisory Board from 1991-1993. Dick also was on two charter revision committees, the Groton Town RTM, and the city and town Republican committees.

He was a member of the American Society of Naval Engineers, Electric Boat Management Assoc., Retired Officer's Assoc., Shennecossett Yacht Club, American Legion Post 0273 in Riverhead, N.Y., and the National Eagle Scout Association. He was an avid sailor, enjoyed reading, studying history, and entertaining at home on his front porch during the summer.

He is survived by a son, Richard J. Stark of Mystic; three daughters, Suzanne Keenan of Hoboken, N.J., Colleen Engel of Tyngsboro, Mass., and Carol Falk of Hampton, N.H.; two brothers, Thomas Stark of Aquebogue, N.Y., and William Stark of Hampton Bays, N.Y.; and nine grandchildren.

He was predeceased by a sister, Maureen McCabe.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, Sacred Heart Dr., Groton. Interment will be in St. John's Cemetery, Riverhead, N.Y. Visiting hours will be from 3 to 7 p.m. on Sunday at the Byles-Groton Memorial Home, 310 Thames St.

Please visit www.byles.com for online obituary, directions, or to send a condolence note to the family.