Richard Irish

SEBAGO — Richard H. "Dick" Irish, 82, of the Hancock Pond Road, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017 at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough from a very aggressive form of cancer after only seven weeks.

He was married to schooltime girlfriend, Claire Jewell, his partner and love of his life for 62 years.

He served in the Army from 1956 to 1958, then lived in Portland prior to his move to New Hampshire in 1959, working at Improved Machinery Inc., until he started his own business in 1963. Irish Insurance Agency of Merrimack served southern N.H. for 35 years.

While in Merrimack he was active in civic duties including being past president of the Merrimack Chamber of Commerce twice, member of the Advisory Board of Governors, and Indian Head Bank. He was a charter member of St. James United Methodist Church, on the building committee, a trustee and instrumental in the building the new church in 1967. He was also President of the Square and Compass Club. He is a member of Benevolent Lodge #7 in Milford, N.H., 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, Valley of Nashua, N.H., a member of Club 7, Milford, N.H., and was a member of Bektash Shrine Center of N.H.

He retired in 1998 and moved back to his birthplace of Sebago, Maine with his wife. He was active in Kora Shrine, Log Roller Unit of Lewiston and Kora Motor Corps. He participated in many parades each summer with his mini truck, which he loved. He was also a member of Greenleaf Lodge #117 in Cornish, and Director of the York Co. Shrine Club, president of Potter Academy Alumni Association, a member of Branch Duckers Snowmobile Club, Pioneer Club of Scottish Rite, Royal Order of Jesters and the Cumberland Co. Shrine Club.

He was predeceased by his parents, and a brother Douglas Irish. Surviving are his wife Claire Irish of Sebago; son Joel and his wife Jane of Amherst, N.H.; son Brent of Sebago; and daughter Robin of Eugene, Ore.; four grandchildren, Becky, Judson, Russell and Aimy, and their spouses; six great-grandchildren; and also his brother, Ronald Irish and wife Teri of Sebago.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, Jan. 19, from 5 to 8 p.m., concluding with a Masonic Service at 8 p.m. at Watson, Neal & York Funeral Home, 71 Maple St., Cornish, Maine. A funeral service will take place on Friday, Jan. 20, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. www.wnyfuneralhome.com