Richard M. Mears

BARRE TOWN – Richard Merrill Mears, 82, of Ledge Drive passed away on Saturday, April 28, 2018.

Born December 2, 1935 in Marshfield, he was the son of Irl Mears and Ruth (Hall) Mears.

Richard attended elementary school in Marshfield and graduated from Marshfield High School in 1953.

On October 25, 1957, he married Barbara Dudley in the Grace United Methodist Church in Plainfield. Following their marriage, they made their home in Barre.   Barbara passed away on January 30, 2012.

Richard began what would be his lifelong career in earth moving and construction at an early age when he combined working on the family farm with being employed at Moore Dam (Littleton Dam). He was a talented heavy equipment operator involved in the early construction of Interstates 89 & 91 as well as the Quechee Lakes Development with Caledonia Construction Company of Waterford, VT. A photo can be seen on display at the Williston highway rest area of Richard operating a dozer on I-91 in Ryegate in 1978. After the interstate in Vermont was completed, he worked for the largest companies in New England, NY, NJ and PA on various federal jobs, and made many lasting friendships along the way. Rich was respected as the finest dozer man in Vermont and beyond by many companies such as George Harms Construction Co., R. S. Audley, Moulton Construction and Pizzagalli Construction. After he retired, he raised Forest Road Beef at “the farm”, something he enjoyed until the very end. He also enjoyed selling fresh seafood and many people looked forward to this weekly event.

Through the years, Rich enjoyed playing cribbage and black jack, bowling, hunting, fishing, and playing cards at camp on Drew Mountain in Marshfield.

His memberships included the Masonic Wyoming Lodge #80 in Plainfield where he was a 32 ^nd degree Master Mason, the Montpelier Lodge of Elks #924, Mutuo Inc., Canadian Club of Barre, American Legion Post #10 Barre, the National Rifle Association, and he was a longtime Shriner with the Mt. Sinai Temple.

Survivors include his son Scott Mears and his companion Elise Burton of Barre; his daughters Susan Dukette and her husband, Steven of St. Johnsbury; and Shellie Wright and her husband Brian of West Danville; his daughter-in-law Ann-Marie Mears of Barre; his grandchildren Stephanie Paquette; Nathaniel Mears; Aaron Dukette; Andrea Houlne; Ashley Mears; Brittany Mears; Dillon Mears; Connor Mears; Carmen Mears; and Jack Beauparlant; ten great-grandchildren; his brother George Mears; his step-sister Patricia Holt Randall; and his step-brothers Reginald Holt and Wendell Holt as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife Barbara Mears; his son Gary Mears; and two sisters Irlene “Snooks” Huntington and Marlene Johnson.

The service to honor and celebrate his life will be held on Sunday, May 6, 2018 beginning with a Masonic Service at 2:00 p.m. in the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy Street, Barre. Family and friends may call prior to the service on Sunday from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Interment will take place on Monday, May 7, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. in the New Discovery Cemetery, Route 232, Marshfield.