Richard T. Dwyer

WOONSOCKET - "Red white and blue; green white and gold". For Dick Dwyer the colors of Old Glory that he would salute as they waved passed and in similar vein the tricolor of the Emerald Isle, these were equally etched in his heart.

Mr. Richard T. Dwyer a Woonsocket born and bred boy with deep roots in the "Old Sod" of Ireland came into this world on June 29, 1928 as the "Roaring 20's" were about to come to a close. Dick came of age during the Great Depression and WWII-eras, a time in a Woonsocket where everyone knew everyone else and everybody did what they could to pitch in for family and the war effort.

Mr. Richard T. Dwyer entered into eternal life on Wednesday December 8, 2021, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, at home surrounded by the love and care of his family.

Dick was a son of the late Roger J. and Anna T. (Dowling) Dwyer. Dick was raised on Providence Street in Woonsocket and growing up he attended Sacred Heart Parish in Fairmount.

Dick was a graduate of Woonsocket High School Class of 1946 where he was a stellar athlete in three varsity letter sports, baseball, football and basketball. Dick's basketball skills were exceptional as he sprang about the court with ease. In Dick's early years he worked at McCarthy's and later at Grant's Department stores in downtown Woonsocket.

Dick served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. Due to fortuitous circumstances he ended up being stationed in the land of the Sound of Music, Austria, quite a nice posting for a kid from Providence Street.

"Ma Bell" (later known as New England Telephone) was where Dick was employed as a central office switchman until his retirement.

It was at the phone company offices in Worcester that Dick met a girl named Nancy and so began their romance as it was love at first sight (according to family lore). Dick brought Nancy down the Blackstone River from Worcester and on April 18, 1959 Dick married Anne R. (Stanton) Dwyer, known to all as Nancy. Dick and Nancy would spend the next 40 years together until her passing in January 1999.

Dick was a longtime faithful communicant of St. Charles Borromeo Parish where he served as a Eucharistic minister. A man of great faith, Dick did not necessarily wear his beliefs on his sleeve but rather lived his faith through his steadfast devotions and, just as importantly, his actions. Treating all like the Gospel commands, to love thy neighbor, that was Dick Dwyer's guide to life. Dick was the author of innumerable good deeds and kind actions that only the "Man Upstairs" will ever know, and that just the way Dick wanted it.

An avid fan of all the New England sports teams, Dick lived and died by the Red Sox, Patriots and Celtics. Dick kept up playing basketball as a member of the appropriately termed "Nut League" where his lunch breaks at work were the best time for him to exhibit his natural prowess with other fellas who took to the court. Dick was right there for the golden era of the Celtics, Havelcheck and Russell and later Bird, McHale, Parish and Ainge were among the greats he cheered on with thousands of others narrated by the cigar-enhanced voice of the legendary Johnny Most high above courtside.

Dick's interest and commitment to sports extended to coaching Little League and participating in the senior softball league and noon-time YMCA basketball leagues. Dick was a regular member of the Woonsocket YMCA for over 60 years. This commitment also extended as Dick was a referee for Special Olympics basketball where he took deep satisfaction in helping those in the Special Olympics programs have fun and reach their potential.

Dick's Irish heritage was ever close to his heart as he was member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the A.O.H. Although he missed setting foot in Ireland on this side of the grass, Dick surely has a birds eye view of both sides of The Pond (the Atlantic Ocean) from his perch atop the Pearly Gates. The Ocean State was an integral part of Dick as he loved time on Narragansett beach. Not one to travel too far, as a true Rhode Islander, Dick did enjoy time on the Cape and in Florida. Trips to Boston were a must as Fenway Park and Boston Garden were at the top of Dick's to do list for his yearly visits. Coming in at a very close second were trips to PC Friars basketball games ranked right up there as Dick would pack up the kids and give Nancy some much needed quite time (as if there ever were such a thing) as he and the kids cheered on the legendary PC teams.
Dick and Nancy raised a beautiful family and his love for his family is his lasting legacy.

In true Irish fashion Dick answered to any number of monikers including Dickie, Mr. Dwyer and in more recent times the affectionate label, 'Da', (just for clarity "Da" is akin to the Irish version of Pepere).

Dick is survived by his children Mary Berthiaume and her husband Charles Chuck with whom he lived, Thomas Dwyer of Woonsocket and Daniel Dwyer and his significant other Deborah Chabot of Cumberland, Michel Dwyer of Woonsocket and Eileen Dwyer and her significant other Charles Kwolek of Greenville. Dick's legacy extends to his grandchildren Chad (Audrey), Cory (Erin) and James (Jolene) Berthiaume, Jack (Jess), Daniel (Ashley), Hannah and Tess Dwyer and six great-grandchildren Myles and Easton Dwyer, Jack, Evan, Isla and Liam Berthiaume. Dick was the father of the late James "Jimmy" Dwyer who passed away in 2020. He was the brother of the late Roger Dwyer and is also survived by several nieces and nephews and their families. Dick is also survived by his companion of many years Barbara Delasanta of Woonsocket.

His funeral will be held Saturday December 18, 2021 beginning with visitation at 2 PM followed by a service at 5 PM, in the Holt Funeral Home, 510 S. Main Street, Woonsocket. Dick and Jimmy will be laid to rest with Nancy at Resurrection Cemetery in Cumberland at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to HopeHealth 1085 North Main St. Providence, RI. 02904.

www.holtfuneralhome.com