Obituary
Richard Leroy Willich
July 28, 1943 – August 7, 2020
Richard Willich, known to many as “Tricky”, died suddenly at his home in Eastford, CT on August 7, 2020. He was born in Hiawatha, KS as the second of four children to the late Melvin Leroy and Vivian (Longfellow) Willich, formerly of Olathe, CO.
“Tricky” graduated from Hiawatha High School before joining the U.S. Navy where he was assigned to a diesel-powered submarine. He later trained for nuclear-powered vessels. As a boy he enjoyed scouting where he achieved his Eagle Scout and in later years served as a Scoutmaster. He also enjoyed ATVing and was an aviation enthusiast.
He was a long-time resident of Eastford, CT before he and his wife, the late Jereanne Willich moved to Edgewater, FL where they resided until they both passed.
He spent most of his adult life as a truck driver and logger, sometimes self-employed. He joined the Eastford Independent Fire Company where he served as Captain and became a Life member.
He was a hard worker and instilled in his four children characteristics of integrity and tenacity. The word “can’t” was seldom used in his vocabulary. A man of few words, he was known as someone who had knowledge of many subjects, but he would humbly deny being knowledgeable about anything.
He was loved by many and will be sorely missed. He is preceded in death by his wife, Jereanne (Knight) Willich of 52 years, and his sisters Lavina and Sharon Willich. He leaves behind his brother Howard Michael Willich with his wife Phyllis and their family, his daughter Jennifer Willich of Eastford, CT and her companion Robert Gokey, daughter Marsha Willich of Edgewater, FL and her companion Julia Casey, Marsha’s daughters Amber Waller, of Tolland, CT, Alexis Waller of Edgewater, FL, and Abbey Casey of East Berlin, CT with her husband Christopher, and their son Christopher Paul Casey, III; son Robert Willich of Eastford, CT and his companion Catherine Blake, and daughter Rebecca Gould of Woodstock, CT with her husband Raymond and their children Charles Noren and Olivia Gould. He also leaves behind several nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.
Donations may be made in his memory to:
Eastford Independent Fire Company #1, Inc.
P.O. Box 333
Eastford, CT 06242
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