Richard R. Izor

WATERBURY - Richard Raymond "Dick" Izor, 84, a lifelong resident of Waterbury, passed away in the comfort of his family at Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin on Tuesday, June 4, 2013.

Born in Waterbury on Jan. 8, 1929, he was the son of the late Raymond and Ida (Thomas) Izor.

On Oct. 1, 1955, Dick married the former Rena Murphy in Montpelier.

Dick was a 1947 graduate of Waterbury High School, where he was an active member of the basketball team. As a member also of the Civil Air Patrol in high school, Dick was involved in the rescue at the site of the military airplane crash on Camels Hump.

Following graduation, Dick and his brother-in-law Robert Coffin formed an ice distribution company serving the greater Waterbury area and was known by many as the "Iceman."

Dick joined the Vermont National Guard in 1947 and following in 1950, enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served until his honorable discharge in 1954, being awarded the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. Returning to Waterbury, Dick went to work with his brothers Calime and Charles at Izor Brothers Fuel Co., retiring after 35 years of service. In addition, Dick owned and operated Mid-State Alleys in Waterbury during the 1960s and '70s, a popular four-lane candlepin bowling alley, eatery and favorite teenage hangout where he was loved by all.

An active parishioner of St. Andrew Catholic Church in Waterbury, he was also a member of the church choir and was a lifetime member of the Harry N. Cutting American Legion Post 59 of Waterbury.

Richard is survived by his wife of nearly 58 years, Rena Izor, of Waterbury; their children, Daniel Izor and his wife, Diane Sansone, of Duxbury, Kimberly Izor, of Atlanta, Ga., and Darryl Izor and his wife, Heather, of Duxbury; five beloved grandchildren, Ashli, Derek, Erica, Tyra and Kyler Izor; a brother, Robert Izor, and his wife, Betty, of Barre; his sisters Marion Coffin, of Waterbury, and Selma Carpenter and her husband, Andrew, of Waterbury Center; his lifelong best friend, Charles Mason, of Waterbury; as well as nieces, nephews and extended family. Dick was predeceased by his sister Emma Clifton and her husband, Douglas; his sister Genevieve LeBourveau and her husband, Jack; his brother Charles Izor and his wife, Ann; his brother Calime Izor and his wife, Lillian; and his brother-in-law Robert Coffin.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated from St. Andrew Catholic Church in Waterbury on Friday, June 7, 2013, at 10 a.m. with a reception to follow in the church parish hall. Later inurnment will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery in Duxbury.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts would be appreciated to The American Heart Association (www.heart.org) or The National Kidney Foundation (www.kidney.org).

Assisting the family is the Perkins-Parker Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Waterbury. To send online condolences, please visit us at www.perkinsparker.com and Facebook.