Richard C. “Dick” Gribbin, 83, of Augusta, died Aug. 28 after a determined and graceful bout with cancer. He was born Aug. 18, 1931 in Portland, to the late Merton J. and Lorraine A. (McLellan) Gribbin.
Dick grew up in Augusta, graduating from Cony High School in 1950, and earning his associate degree in accounting from Bentley College in Waltham, Mass.
He lived in the mid-west and New York until moving the family back to Augusta in 1969.
He was employed by Best Foods in Chicago, Ill., Ross Perot’s company, Electronic Data Systems in Dallas, Tex., and the Maine State Police as Director of Management Information Systems. He was also owner of Duffy’s Restaurant, Augusta in the early 1970s.
He served on the Maine State Employees Credit Union Board of Directors for many years. In addition, he served as Bail Commissioner for Kennebec County for 38 years, from 1975 until his retirement in December 2013 as well as the Kennebec County Board of Domestic Violence Prevention. He was recently honored with a Community Service Award by the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office.
Dick was an avid golfer and bowler, participating in numerous golf and bowling leagues. He scored a hole-in-one in 1962 at IBM Country Club in Endicott, N.Y. He was an avid Patriots and Red Sox fan, enjoying the several World Championships won in recent years.
Dick had three goals since his diagnosis: to live to his 83rd birthday, having his summer with his family and friends and seeing the Red Sox win another World Series … “two out of three ain’t bad.”
He was a Justice of the Peace, performing many weddings, including his granddaughter’s wedding and one in a bowling alley during league night. He loved spending time at Clary Lake in Jefferson. Dick maintained his great sense of humor until the very end.
He enjoyed traveling, especially to Aruba and his many trips to the Oregon coast.
He adored spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Dick was predeceased by his brother, Robert; first wife, Barbara M. (Black); second wife, Judith A. (DeAngelis); and son, Richard.
He is survived by his beloved companion, Trudi Hodgkins of Jefferson, who cared for him in the final stages of his life; son, Michael Gribbin, wife Susan of Astoria, Ore., and their children, Shannon and Alea; daughter, Sandra Gribbin, spouse Lisa of Nashua, N.H. and Sandra’s children, Heather and Christopher; daughter, Christine Guerette, husband Jim of Searsport, and their children, Michael and John; son, David Gribbin, wife Nicola of Tyngsborough, Mass. and their children, Abigail, Anna, and Alison; Trudi’s sons, Thomas and Victor Scofield; many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews; sister-in-law, Minnie Gribbin of Lady Lake, Fla.; cousin, Pat Tuttle of Beverly, Mass.; adopted slob dog, Coco; and cranky Coon cat, Ben.
A gathering of family and friends will be held from 4-6 p.m., Tues., Sept. 2 at Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Wed., Sept. 3 at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Western Ave., Augusta. Burial and committal prayers will follow in Forest Grove Cemetery, Green St., Augusta.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to End 68 Hours of Hunger-Nashua, c/o Sandy Gribbin, 80 Cypress Lane, #5, Nashua, NH 03063, www.end68hoursofhunger.org, or to the charity of one’s choice.
Condolences, photos and stories may be made through the funeral home website at www.plummerfh.com.