Richard “Rit” Woolley, 77, Friendship, passed away peacefully at his home on April 8 with his loving family by his side.
He was born in Neptune, N.J. on Sept. 8, 1935, the son of Raymond and Michalene Yatczyszyn Woolley.
He grew up in Wall, N.J. and married Audrey and the two settled in Brick, N.J. He went to work for the Sherman Mills where he worked as a cabinet maker for 29 years before making the step to work for himself. Throughout their time in Brick, N.J. they would come to Maine for vacations and to work on the property in Friendship. It was a labor of love and a project that Rit worked on for 12 years with the help of family and friends. In 1996 they were able to sell their house in Brick and move to the house in Friendship that Rit built from the ground up.
One of his hobbies and passions was stock car racing. He loved to watch the races every Sunday and was a Jimmie Johnson and Kasey Kahne supporter. He was fascinated with the track and loved being around the atmosphere they would provide.
In the early 80s he would race at Wall Stadium in New Jersey. The friends and comradery he experienced at the track was second to none. One weekend he unfortunately wrecked his car and after the race everyone gathered at his garage to start helping with the repairs to get the car back on the track as soon as possible. They worked tirelessly together until the car was finished. It was this brotherhood that kept him coming back.
When the big cars got to be too expensive to run, he would switch to RC models, even building himself a track at his home to race with friends and family from the screened-in drivers’ area.
He enjoyed fresh water fishing with his son-in-law Dean and the grandchildren when they could make it. For the last 15 years Rit and Audrey wintered in Florida with their trusty fifth wheeler until recently selling the property.
Rit enjoyed helping people in any way that he could and was quick to lend his woodworking skills to anyone who needed them. Whether it was family, friends, or his church, if he could help, he would.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Audrey Woolley of Friendship; daughters, Karen Venerable and husband Robert of Brick, N.J., and Melody Mazzoni and husband Dean of Toms River, N.J.; mother, Michalene Woolley of Wall, N.J.; brothers, Raymond Woolley of Brick, N.J., and Robert Woolley and wife Vivian of Brick, N.J.; and grandchildren, Shawn, Kyle, Dana, Dean Jr., and Amanda.
Celebration of life 2 p.m. Sat., April 13 at the Friendship United Methodist Church with Rev. Bob Dorr officiating.
You are invited to share your condolences, memories, and photos with the family by visiting their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 949 Main St., Waldoboro.
