Richard “Dick” Connly, 79, of Easthampton, Massachusetts, died on January 1, 2019, the Feast Day of the Blessed Virgin, at the Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst, Massachusetts.

A brave and proud Marine has passed away and now guards Heaven’s Gates.

Dick was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island on November 10, 1939 to Robert and Doris (McLaughlin) Connly.  Dick graduated from Saint Michael’s High School of Northampton in 1958 and entered the United States Marine Corps.  He married Patricia “Pattie” Lashway of Amherst, Massachusetts on April 4, 1959 and shared more than 59 years of marriage together with his beloved Queen.

Dick’s life was truly a love story.  He adored his wife and devoted his life to her, his seven children and his fourteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Dick was a man of great faith.  He was dedicated to the service of others and longed to live a life that was pleasing to his God. He gave countless hours to his parish communities as a lector, Eucharistic minister, Chairman of his prayer group, parish council and financial committees. He earned the Pius X award for excellence as a CCD instructor for more than ten years.  He was a good and faithful servant.

After serving his country, Dick was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps and returned to Massachusetts to begin a very successful career in the food services industry. Working for John Q. Sexton, Sysco and Thurston Foods, Dick distinguished himself as an exceptional salesman and executive, but he was even a better friend to countless colleagues and customers throughout western Massachusetts.

Dick was an incredible example of husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend. His legacy to us all includes his love of family and of country; his incredible work ethic and his unwavering faith in God.

We would like to acknowledge the wonderful care of Dick’s doctor, Stephanie Oscieki, and her dedicated staff, his caregiver Deb Braman, and Dr. Rich Rosen and the compassionate and skilled men and women at the Hospice of the Fisher Home. Their devotion to Dick and his family sustained us all in our most difficult hours and we are deeply indebted to these incredible people for their love and kindness.

Funeral services will be held on January 7, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Valley Church, 33 Adams Street, Easthampton, Massachusetts with Reverend Peter A. Gregory presiding.  Burial will be at Saint Brigid’s Cemetery, Hadley, Massachusetts with Military Honors.

Visitation will be on Sunday, January 6, 2019 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Douglass Funeral Home in Amherst, Massachusetts.

Dick is predeceased by his son, Michael, and survived by his wife Pattie of Easthampton, and their children, Michele and her husband, Robert Foote of Holden, Greg and his wife Barbara of North Easton, Peter and his wife Linda of Fiskdale, Glenn and his wife Jacklyn of Northampton, Keith of Williamsburg, and Sean and his wife Sarah of Leicester.  Fourteen grandchildren also survive; Lindsay Scola, James Scola, Jeffrey Scola, Erica Scola, Caroline Connly, Aidan Connly, Veronica Connly, Olivia Connly, Jack Connly, Garrett Connly, Anna Connly, Austin Connly, Emmalee Connly and Michael Connly. Dick is also survived by his two great-grandchildren, Wesley and Theodore Scola, as well as his brother David of Northampton and his sister Joan of Florence.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dick’s name to Hospice of the Fisher Home, 1165 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, Massachusetts, www.fisherhome.org , the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org , or Our Lady of the Valley Beautification Fund, www.olveasthampton.org.