Richard Drisko

Hampden - Richard Lee Drisko, 85, died unexpectedly on Friday, July 26, 2024, at his home. He was born January 13, 1939, in Gardiner, Maine, the son of Harry and Beulah Drisko.
Dick graduated from Gardiner High School, class of 1957. Following graduation he attended the University of Maine, where he was a proud member of the Black Bear football team. After graduating in the class of 1961, he received his commission in the United States Army in 1962, and proudly served his country in Vietnam flying the Otter-Caribou surveillance aircraft. Dick continued with his love of aviation and traveled around the world as a pilot with Pan American World Airways. He finished his career as a chief warrant officer five in the Maine Army National Guard. During his time at Pan Am, Dick met his "Irish Rose," Mary Mullen, with whom he celebrated 55 years of marriage this past February.
Surviving, in addition to his wife, Mary, are his son, Brian Drisko and his partner, Debbie Hutchins, of Bangor; daughters, Rosalind Drisko of Hampden, and Rachel Pomeroy and her husband, Ed Pomeroy, of Bangor; his grandchildren, Joshua Drisko, Lydia Drisko, Payton Ellis, Flynn Drisko, Kayla Pomeroy, Kyle Pomeroy, Keith Pomeroy, and Quinn Pomeroy; brothers, Robert Drisko and his wife, Myra, of Chelsea, and Dexter Williams and his wife, Gail, of Gardiner; and sister, Pat Goss of Iowa. Dick was very close to his mother-in-law, Rose Mullen of Ireland; his brother-in-law, Patrick Mullen and his wife, Onnie, of Australia; his sister-in-law, Anne O'Connor and her husband, Joe, of Ireland; and his many nieces and nephews, Cathy, Denny, Stacy, Terrie, Jimmy, Jason, Roderick, Angus, Ashling, Avice, and Fiona.
In addition to flying, Dick loved playing sports, watching the New England Patriots, doing his daily crossword puzzle - which he always finished, and playing golf with his high school buddies. But more than anything, he loved his family and his grandchildren. He always said they were the light of his life.
Relatives and friends are welcome to call 5-7 p.m.Friday, August 2, 2024, at Hampden-Gilpatrick Chapel of Brookings-Smith, 45 Western Ave., Hampden. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 3, 2024, at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. Matthew's Roman Catholic Church, 70 Western Ave., Hampden, followed by a Rite of Committal at Mt. Pleasant Catholic Cemetery, Bangor. Gifts in Dick's memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675 or at woundedwarriorproject.org. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.