Richard ‘Dick’ England Sr., a long time resident of Brewer and Palm Harbor, FL., passed away peacefully at his home on October 3, 2023, with his loving family by his side. Dick was born in Bangor on January 2, 1928, to George and Lena (Prahm) England, the youngest of 15 children. He attended Bangor High School, he lettered in all three sports and served as captain on many teams. He loved to throw, and pitching was his specialty. Dick graduated as class president in 1946, soon after he enlisted in the Army for three years, stationed in New Mexico. He was recruited to play on his base’s baseball team, travelling to compete against other bases’ teams as he served his country.
Dick returned to Bangor in 1948 and started his minor league baseball career, playing for the Philadelphia Phillies minor league system from 1948 to 1952. In 1953, he pitched for the Boston Red Sox minor league for his final stint in professional baseball. He then returned to Bangor. Anyone interested in his minor league stats can google ‘Richard England Minor League Baseball’.
Dick met his first great love, Mabel Cosseboom, at Husson College in 1950, where he spied her from the balcony. They were married in 1952. He started working at New England Pipe and Supply Co. in sales before he and his brother, Paul, started the Paul R. England Co. from 1961 to 1970. In 1971, Dick started Auto Paint Supply, where he worked until his retirement in 1990. He always enjoyed deer hunting at his camp in Greenbush, golfing at Penobscot Valley Country Club, reffing and officiating high school sports well into the 1990’s. He was a member of Elks Club and a long time member of Anah Shriners.
In 1983, Dick and Mabel bought a home in Florida, spending more and more time there each winter. Here, Dick nursed Mabel through her battle with cancer, which she sadly lost in 1994. He was fortunate to find his second great love, Ruth Houston, in 1994, enjoying 22 years together in their homes in Veazie and Palm Harbor. Ruth passed away in 2017.
Dick is survived by his children, Rick and Dawn England of Bangor and Titusville, FL., Randy and Leslie England of Green Lake, Ellsworth, Rodney and Linda England of Harriman Pond, Dedham, and Ronald and Terri England of Veazie and San Antonio, TX.; twenty-two grandchildren; nineteen great grandchildren; and Ruth’s son and daughters, Bill, Holly, and Heather. He was predeceased by his first wife, Mabel; second wife, Ruth; six sisters; and eight brothers.
A special thanks to Ron and Terri for their willingness to care for dad in the last four years so he could remain in his home, and to St. Josephs Home and Hospice.
Gifts in Dick’s memory may be made to the Shriner’s Burn Hospital PO Box 947765
Atlanta, GA 30394, or a charity of your choice.
A memorial reception will be held 1pm to 3pm Thursday, October 12, 2023 at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center Street, Bangor.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard England, please visit our flower store.
Dick returned to Bangor in 1948 and started his minor league baseball career, playing for the Philadelphia Phillies minor league system from 1948 to 1952. In 1953, he pitched for the Boston Red Sox minor league for his final stint in professional baseball. He then returned to Bangor. Anyone interested in his minor league stats can google ‘Richard England Minor League Baseball’.
Dick met his first great love, Mabel Cosseboom, at Husson College in 1950, where he spied her from the balcony. They were married in 1952. He started working at New England Pipe and Supply Co. in sales before he and his brother, Paul, started the Paul R. England Co. from 1961 to 1970. In 1971, Dick started Auto Paint Supply, where he worked until his retirement in 1990. He always enjoyed deer hunting at his camp in Greenbush, golfing at Penobscot Valley Country Club, reffing and officiating high school sports well into the 1990’s. He was a member of Elks Club and a long time member of Anah Shriners.
In 1983, Dick and Mabel bought a home in Florida, spending more and more time there each winter. Here, Dick nursed Mabel through her battle with cancer, which she sadly lost in 1994. He was fortunate to find his second great love, Ruth Houston, in 1994, enjoying 22 years together in their homes in Veazie and Palm Harbor. Ruth passed away in 2017.
Dick is survived by his children, Rick and Dawn England of Bangor and Titusville, FL., Randy and Leslie England of Green Lake, Ellsworth, Rodney and Linda England of Harriman Pond, Dedham, and Ronald and Terri England of Veazie and San Antonio, TX.; twenty-two grandchildren; nineteen great grandchildren; and Ruth’s son and daughters, Bill, Holly, and Heather. He was predeceased by his first wife, Mabel; second wife, Ruth; six sisters; and eight brothers.
A special thanks to Ron and Terri for their willingness to care for dad in the last four years so he could remain in his home, and to St. Josephs Home and Hospice.
Gifts in Dick’s memory may be made to the Shriner’s Burn Hospital PO Box 947765
Atlanta, GA 30394, or a charity of your choice.
A memorial reception will be held 1pm to 3pm Thursday, October 12, 2023 at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center Street, Bangor.
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