Richard "Dick" Dudley of 136 Lashaway Drive was transferred to the Lord's Celestial Ship on February 8, 2007. Born June 1, 1928 in Worcester, he was the son of Leonard J. and Dorothy E. (Maynard) Dudley. He lived in Worcester, Leicester, and came to East Brookfield in 1961. He leaves his wife of 42 years, Gloria A. (Conway) Dudley; one sister, Jo-Ann (Dudley) Gorham of Brookfield; one sister-in-law, Norma M. Conway of North Oxford; and one brother-in-law Robert Blanchard of Worcester. He is survived by many many nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces, great-great-nephews, and great-great-nieces. He is predeceased by two brothers and two sisters.

Dick loved family, travel, the Navy, gardening, nature, swimming, and his faith. He served 22 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring as Master Chief Machinist Mate in 1965. He was a veteran of WWII, Korean and Vietnam Wars. He served on seven ships: the USS Dayton, USS Hyman, USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., USS Putnam, USS O'Hare, USS Yosemite and USS The Sullivans. He was an instructor at the Destroyer School in Newport, RI when he retired.

After retiring from the Navy, Dick worked at Morgan Construction Company in Worcester as Assembly Superintendent for 25 years.

He graduated from North High School, Worcester Junior College, WPI-School of Industrial Management, and many courses connected to naval affairs.

He was a member of St. John the Baptist Church, in East Brookfield.

He was a member of American Legion Post 138, Spencer; Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 3439, North Brookfield; Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 4, Worcester; Past president and member of Fleet Reserve Assoc. Branch 75, Worcester; The Retired Enlisted Assoc.; Navy League of the U.S.; International Chief Petty Officer's Association; Tin Can Sailors Assoc.; Naval Servicement's Park Assoc.; U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation; USS the Sullivan's DD537; The J.P. Kennedy Jr. DD850; The USS Hyman and the USS Putnam Associations.

Board Member of East Brookfield Council on Aging for 9 years; Member of: Lashaway Senior Citizens Club; Worcester Boys Club Alumni Association; AARP; Morgan Retirees Group; Retired Men's Club of Greendale; Mechanics Hall Assoc. and Worcester Historical Museum.

The Funeral will be held on Monday, February 12, 2007 from the Pillsbury Funeral Home, Old West Brookfield Road, Brookfield, MA with a Mass at 10:00 a.m in St. John the Baptist Church, North Brookfield Rd., East Brookfield. The burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Calling hours will be held at the funeral home on Sunday from 5-8 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to: St. John the Baptist Church, North Brookfield Rd., East Brookfield, MA 01515 or Alzheimer's Support Network of South Central Massachusetts, Inc., P.O Box 839, Southbridge, MA 01550.