Richard (Dick) Commander, 75, of Newcastle, and Old Saybrook, Conn., passed away on Aug. 15. In 1987 he was predeceased by his wife Loretta (Akley) Commander. They were married in North Bellmore, N.Y. in January 1957.
Richard was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on Nov. 10, 1934. He was the son of Jack Commander and Anne (Whalley Seaman) Commander.
In 1956 Richard graduated from the Long Island Agricultural and Technical Institute (now SUNY Farmingdale). At that time he was recruited by and went to work for Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corp., Groton, Conn. Richard spent 36 years in the engineering department working on the design, construction, and fleet support for nuclear submarines. During this time he also served as a consultant for the U.S. Navy. Richard traveled extensively to Rota Spain, Cape Canaveral, Fla., and the Navy’s Washington, D.C. headquarters. He played a significant role in the development and implementation of the Submarine Safety Program. Upon his retirement in 1992, the U.S. Navy awarded him a Certificate of Appreciation.
In 1996 Richard moved to Newcastle. He obtained a part time job delivering flowers for Cottage Garden center.
Richard was an avid sports fan and player. He rooted for the Brooklyn Dodgers and subsequently the New York Mets. Richard was a college baseball pitcher and industrial league softball infielder and outfielder, bowled for many years, and played CYO basketball. He also enjoyed playing cards, especially bridge.
Richard is survived by four sons and three daughters, John and wife Patricia of Old Saybrook, Laura Piontkowski and husband Brian of Laconia, N.H., Cindy Bowes and husband Robert of Bolivar, Mo., Richard and wife Paige of Clarksville, Tenn., Robert and wife Kristen of Old Saybrook, Jane Godlewski and husband Michael of Loveland, Ohio, and Daniel and wife Amanda of Newcastle; and grandchildren, Timothy, Michael, and Amy Commander, Kelly Travis and husband Andrew, Mary Piontkowski, Christine and John Bowes, Richard and Shelby Commander, Kasey Commander, and Ethan Godlewski.
Richard was a communicant of St. Patrick’s Church in Newcastle where he served as an usher.
Family and friends are invited to meet and attend the memorial mass 2 p.m., Fri., Aug. 20 at St. Patrick’s Church, 380 Academy Hill Rd., Newcastle. Graveside service 1 p.m., Sat., Aug. 21 at Riverside Cemetery in Old Saybrook, Conn.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to CT Hospice, 100 Double Beach Rd., Branford, CT 06405 in memory of Richard Commander.
Swan Funeral Home in Old Saybrook, Conn. will be handling the services.