Richard L. Hames

SPENCER, MA - CDR Richard L. Hames, USNR (Ret.) of Spencer, Massachusetts, died peacefully from natural causes on 19 October 2022 in the presence of family and friends. He was 96.

Richard’s first love was the Navy and as such, he joined the Navy ROTC program upon entering college in 1943 and was commissioned in the Navy as an Ensign in 1946. Flight School followed, beginning 28 years as a Reserve Navy aviator with a home base of South Weymouth Naval Air Station. Richard was initially a fighter pilot (F4U Corsair) but quickly transitioned to land-based anti-submarine warfare aircraft. Never wanting to work in an office, Richard earned a degree in Fish and Game Biology from UMASS, which led to his first job as a Fish and Game Warden for the State of Connecticut. In this job, he could indulge one of his favorite pastimes - spending time in the woods and along the streams of southern New England. He later worked at the Department of the Interior in Boston coordinating funding for wildlife and conservation initiatives from which he retired, finally, in 1990.

He is survived by his second and current wife Joyce Hames (Burnor), his children: Stephen and wife Andrea, Lawrence and wife Laura, JoAnn and husband John Beach, and Craig. Also, his stepchildren: Judy Burdett (Burnor) and husband Roy, Colleen Burnor, Kevin Burnor, Karen Voellings (Burnor) and husband Paul, Donna Hayes (Burnor), 28 Grandchildren, and 31 Great Grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his first wife of 29 years Marjorie Vesely (Murcell, Hames), David Burnor, Mark Burnor, and Kevin Hayes.

Funeral services will be held, Wednesday, October 26, 2022, at 11 a.m. in the Fiske Murphy & Mack Funeral Home, 110 New Athol Rd. Orange, MA.  Burial with military honors will follow in South Cemetery, Orange.

A calling hour will be held Wednesday from 10 – 11 AM in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the “Wounded Warrior Project” in his name.

Following the services, there will be a brief reception and buffet at the Orange American Legion 40 Daniel Shays Highway, Orange, MA.

To send an online condolence please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com.           

Fiske-Murphy & Mack Funeral Home, 110 New Athol Road, Orange is directing arrangements.

Kevin J. Mack, Walter C. Taylor & Douglas M. Stone directors.