MECHANIC FALLS — Richard (Dick) Thomas Stretton, 74, of Mechanic Falls, died on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at his home with his wife and his sister by his side. 

Richard was the son of Alfred M. Stretton and Louise G. (Walsh) Stretton. Born Feb. 15, 1948 in Concord, N.H., he attended schools in Concord, Poland (Maine), Mechanic Falls and was a graduate of Oxford Hills High School. In 1965, Richard enlisted in the USMC Reserve at the age of 17, retiring in 1971 after six years of service. In 1975, he enlisted in the Army Reserves as an MP in the 94th Military Police Co. in Bridgton. He retired from the Army Reserves as a Staff Sergeant after a total of 22 years of military service. 

As a young man, he spent many years with the Mechanic Falls Fire Department and Police Department as a volunteer. 

In 1979, after being injured fighting a house fire, he and his family moved to Bridgton, where he soon worked at Bridgton Academy in maintenance for 23 years. 

In 1991, he became a member of the Western Maine Detachment of the Marine Corps League in Mechanic Falls. He held many of the office posts and ended up being Commandant for two years. He also held the position as chaplin for the Department of Maine MCL. Joining the Order of The Devil Dogs, he held the high honor of Pedigree Devil Dog (The Top Dog). Richard also held positions as Pound Keeper and Dog Robber for the Lobster Pound (Southern Maine).

In 1983, he graduated from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy and served as a reserve police officer for the town of Bridgton. He later moved to Waterford and joined the Waterford Police Department at the rank of sergeant. Also, a member of the Blue Knights Law Enforcement Motor Cycle Club, he held the position of director of the Maine 6 Chapter. 

For years, he was a member of the United Bikers of Maine and loved participating in the Toy Runs. The Health Officer for the Town of Waterford for many years, he retired in December 2007, kept his part-time jobs at Shawnee Peak for the winter and security at Point Sebago in the summer until he was no longer able to work. 

Because of ill health, Richard and his wife Gail moved back to Mechanic Falls, the town he loved the best in 2016. 

Richard is survived by his wife of 47-plus years, Gail A. Stretton; two daughters, Donna Letourneau (Guy) of Raymond and Jill Emory (Mike) of Mojave, Calif.; a granddaughter, Amanda Ladd of Palmdale, Calif.; two brothers, William (Harriet) of Lewiston and Larry (Sherri) of Waterford; and a sister, Sapphire (Beth) of Ocean Park; along with many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at the American Legion Hall #150, Elm Street, Mechanic Falls on Sunday, April 24 at 1 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Richard’s memory to Androscoggin Home Health and Hospice, American Legion Post #150 or Poland Rescue. 

Graveside services will be held in the fall at Gracelawn Memorial Park in Auburn.