Richard Rankin

Richard "Dick" Rankin, 72, a longtime resident of Newbury, NH passed away peacefully on Friday, August 12, 2011 in Waxahachie, Texas with his daughter and son-in-law, Trish and Gene Spaziani, at his side. Born April 1, 1939 in Westerly, RI, Dick was the only child of the late Roy and Charlotte (Rigby) Rankin. He was raised in Westerly, Rhode Island where he graduated high school in 1957. In 1958 he married Alexandra "Sandy" Ferguson and together they raised 5 children. Dick and his family lived in Maine for many years before settling in Newbury, NH. Dick enjoyed working a variety of trades. He was employed for many years at General Dynamics, Electric Boat Division in Groton, CT. He owned and operated his own lobster boat for many years as well. When living in Maine, Dick was employed by Lyman-Morse Boat Builders in Thomaston and the Wayfarer in Camden. He also worked for the Watch Hill, RI Boat Yard, the John Hall Boat Yard, Avondale, RI and Dobson's Boat Yard in Stonington, CT. Dick loved being on the ocean, fishing, lobstering and sailing. His final place of employment was with the NH State Department of Transportation. He enjoyed working in his shop on his many woodworking projects, gardening and traveling with friends. Dick was an entrepreneur too; he was the proud creator and "Head Clam" of Clam Sportswear, LLC. He is survived by the mother of his children, Alexandra Rankin of Auburn, Maine and his daughters, Debra Ann Marr and her husband, Ron of Thomaston, ME; Dawn Bozogan and her husband, Alan, of Newport, NH; DoriLynn Ruman and her husband, Stephen of Greene, ME; Tricia Spaziani and her husband, Gene of Waxahachie, TX and Charlotte A. Rankin of Goshen, NH. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Ryan, Julie and Caitlyn Carroll of Maine and Danielle Rankin of Claremont, NH, EJ Spaziani of Dallas, TX and Kendall Spaizani of Jacksonville, FL and his great-grandson, Kamden Spaziani. He is also survived by dear friends, Steve Barton of Andover, NH and Christopher Moen of Goshen, NH and his beloved dogs, Max and Forget-Me-Not. Dick will be dearly missed by those who loved him. Per Dick's request, there will be no calling hours and memorial service will be held at the convenience of his family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Dick's name to the U.S. Humane Society or the American Cancer Society. The Wayne Boze Funeral Home of Waxahachie, Texas is entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to his family in an online guest book at www.waynebozefuneralhome.com