Richard Armstrong

Richard Sweet Armstrong, January 12, 2023. The son of Marian and Paul Armstrong, Richard (Rick) grew up in North Attleboro, MA and spent his summers on Cape Cod. He was a member of the North Attleboro High School class of 1961. Rick earned a S.B. in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at M.I.T. in 1965, a M.S. in Civil Engineering at M.I.T. in 1966 and a B.D. from the Episcopal Theological School in 1969.

Rick’s life and career had many facets. At the young age of nine, he began working at the local dairy farm where he developed his life-long love of animals, tractors and other machinery. He was a business owner (a marina and hardware store in North Falmouth, MA), an Ordained Priest of the Episcopal Church, a local politician and spent five years as a research associate at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. He also served for two years as the Assistant Secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs and for several years as Commonwealth Director of Port Development/Executive Secretary of the Massachusetts Governor’s Seaport Advisory Council. During his career, he spent time in higher education as well, working as an admissions officer at M.I.T. and in the Dean’s Office at Harvard College. Most recently, he taught electrical engineering at Maine Maritime Academy.

Rick loved the water and was a skilled mariner, seemingly able to fix anything and guide his much loved boat, Frolic, through any type of weather. Rick often used his engineering skills to find creative ways to manage his boats, maintain his property and care for his array of cars and tractors. Throughout his life, Rick found joy in model railroads and train collecting, often spending the winter months improving his legendary train layout. He and his wife loved the community of Castine, ME, where they established their home and were active throughout town life. Rick was a loving and dedicated grandfather, ensuring that his grandsons were skilled in everything from tractor driving to air-pressure assisted potato launching.

Rick’s life was filled with friends, family, happy dogs, joy, humor and community service. He was loved by so many and will be sorely missed.

Rick is survived by his beloved wife Carol Adams, his daughter Mary French of Portland, ME, his daughter Laura Ferrari and son-in-law Ethan Ferrari of Dover, MA, his grandsons Holden Ferrari and Oliver Ferrari of Dover, MA, his step daughter Kimberly Flynn and her husband Bryan Flynn of Boston, MA, his stepson Colonel Clayton Small and his wife Ann Small of San Antonio, TX and step grandchildren Walker Small and Shelby Small of San Antonio, TX. Rick is also survived by his sisters Paula Kandarian (Al) of North Attleboro, MA and Judy Davis (Bob) of Plainville, MA, his nephews Michael Huffman (Sherifa) of Portland, OR and Matthew Huffman of Nashville, TN, and his niece, Leslie Fairbanks (Don) of North Attleboro, MA. He was predeceased by his sister, Marcia Armstrong. He is lovingly remembered by other members of his extended and blended family.

A memorial web page is available at richardsweetarmstrong.com and an in-person celebration will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Maine Cancer Foundation (mainecancer.org).