Richard J. Pope

STERLING – Richard J. Pope, 85, of Sterling, died peacefully in his daughter’s home in Leicester on Friday, October 23, 2009.

His wife of 59 years, Isabelle M. (Keaveney) Pope, died in February of 2008. He leaves two sons, Richard C. Pope and his wife Janet of Shrewsbury and Peter J. Pope and his wife Nancy of Jefferson; three daughters, Margaret A. Rezai-Zadeh and her husband Ahmad of Tampa, FL, Catherine T. Thurlow and her husband Michael of Asheboro, NC, and Benita A. Notaro and her husband Rocco of Leicester; a sister, Margaret Little of Fitchburg; 12 grandchildren; nephews and nieces. A grandson, Christopher Pope, two brothers, Donald and Henry Pope and a sister, Winifred Kersis, all predeceased him. He was born in Worcester the son of Charles H. and Agnes (Lorion) Pope and lived 47 years in Sterling before moving to Leicester last year.

Mr. Pope attended Classical High School in Worcester and worked as a Car Inspector for the Providence-Worcester Railroad for 40 years, retiring in 1986. He was a World War II U.S. Navy Veteran and served aboard the tank landing ship, USS LST-683. He later served over 25 Years in the U.S. Navy Reserve retiring as a Senior Chief Petty Officer.

He was a member of St. Richard of Chichester Church, the Hiram O. Taylor American Legion Post 189 both in Sterling and the Greendale Retired Men’s Club in Worcester. He was an avid outdoorsman his entire life.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27th, in the Miles-Sterling Funeral Home, 100 Worcester Road (Rte. 12), Sterling. The funeral will be held on Wednesday, October 28th, from the funeral home with a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Richard of Chichester Church, 4 Bridge Street, Sterling. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery, Clinton Road (Rte. 62), Sterling. Memorial donations may be made to UMass Memorial Health Care Hospice, 650 Lincoln Street, Worcester, MA 01605.

Website & Guest book: www.milesfuneralhome.come