Thursday, August 30, 2007 — Richard J. Ducey, 58, recently of Fritz Creek, Alaska, died August 30th 2007 after a long battle with cancer caused by his exposure to the defoliant Agent Orange. He had been a resident of Concord and Barnstead, New Hampshire for over 25 years. He attended Pinkerton Academy, Derry, New Hampshire and was a graduate of Chester College of New England and Franklin Pierce College.
He is survived by his beloved wife of many years, Pamela J. Ducey, his mother Eleanor M. Salisbury of York, Maine, a daughter, Sandra L. Duquette of Lowell, Mass., a stepson Gregg A. Stockman of Alton, a daughter Karen L. Ducey of Amherst, Ma., a stepdaughter Amanda L. Gardner of Barnstead, and a son Paul J. Ducey of Mozambique, Africa, two brothers Paul F. Ducey of Greenville, Maine and Alan J. Ducey of Peabody, Mass., a sister Lynne E. Doyle of Canterbury, three grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
He was a combat-wounded veteran of the Vietnam War having served with the U.S Army’s 25th Infantry Division. He served with his brother Paul F. Ducey for six months in Vietnam in 1968 with the 1st Infantry Division. A passionate veterans advocate for over twenty years, he was a National Service Officer for the Military Order of the Purple Heart and was honored by President Ronald Reagan in a special White House ceremony recognizing his service to the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program in 1983. He was appointed Director of the State Veterans Agency by Governor Stephen Merrill in 1996. Ducey retired as the New Hampshire State Director of the U.S. Department of Labor, V.E.T.S. During his illness he participated in the International Conference for Peace and Reconciliation with American and former North Vietnamese Army veterans in Anchorage, Alaska in 2005.
An antique tool collector for forty years, he was a member of the New Hampshire Farm Museum, the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance and the Early American Industries Association and had done restoration work in several area museums.
He lived well, laughed often, and loved much.
A Memorial service will be held at New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery on Tuesday, September 4th at 11 a.m. Burial will be at the New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his name to the New Hampshire Veterans Home, 139 Winter St., Tilton, NH 03276.
We miss him, too, and think of him often.
It’s veterans day2017 and I wanted to remember you my cousin and friend by saying thank you for your service and ultimate sacrifice . May god bless you
I just learned today of Rick’s death. Rick (or known as Richey to me) was my first love. We wrote many, many letters when he was in Nam. He will always hold a dear place in my heart and although it has been 4 years since his death, I still pray for his family. It was good to know he had a happy life and I was glad to be part of his Nam years to help make a lonely soldier’s life more bearable. God bless and keep you all.
I am terribly sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. We worked together in Boston many many years ago. We spent many hours conversing about life ~ past and future. It had many too many years since we last spoke having lost touch and am so saddened by his lost. Rick will always hold a special place in my heart and when I think of him I can do nothing but smile as he always made me laugh.
God bless.
I am so sorry to read of Rick’s death – and so long after it happened.
I met Rick in 1982 when I was a grad student at Boston University and he was leading the VVLP in Boston.
I worked with him on a media training programme for VVPL and wrote an article about Rick’ s life for my journalism course, I got an A more because of Rick’s storytelling skills than my writing talent!
Rick was unfailingly kind and generous with his time and I remember his humour with great affection.
We kept in touch for a short while after I returned to the UK and I regret not keeping in touch with him.
My thoughts are with his family – my husband died of cancer in August 2006 and I know how hard living without your loved one can be.
Best
Linsay
I was so sorry to hear that Rick passed away.
Rick’s mom, Eleanor and my dad, Jack Landry were cousins.
We lost Dad January 2, 2006.
Our loved ones never truly leave us; they remain forever in our hearts and memories.
God bless Rick’s wife, children, siblings, and his Mom.
I just heard of Ricks passing yesterday. Rick was my 2nd cousin on his moms side. I met him for the first time freshman year at Pinkerton, and later at his house in Chester. I was happy to hear of all his accomplishments and his large family. i will miss him and my prayers go to his children and wife.
I miss Rick. It still hurts. I’m sure it always will. But today, April 15th, is an anniversary. For years it was a painful anniversary. The day Rick was wounded and nearly didn’t come home to us. I remember the pain he went through every year approching this day. Reliving the most horrible day of his life. Thirty nine years ago today. But he stayed strong and helped many of his brothers. Always seeing the glass half full. I’ll do what he taught me. I’m grateful to have been given those years to know Rick, guiding me, teaching me, making me laugh and appriciate life no matter what. I don’t think he will mind, April 15th is a day I will be grateful, he did come home. I got to grow up with my Brother.
I remember.
I will never forget.
For Lynne,
I heard that Rick had passed — I had no Idea how long ago it was. I am so very sorry. I remember him as such a great guy, always made us laugh and the camping trips were an experience I will not forget. You are always in my thoughts and prayers and I hope you are well as is your family.
Sincerely
Kimberly
It has been about 20 days now……we are still working on all your last wishes, and they will get done. the pain is starting to subside but sometimes a thought will flick through my mind…..”gotta call dad today……” and my world shatters again. Sometimes it doesnt feel real……its like your just back in alaska again and back to not communicating often, like you will be home soon. Sometimes I feel proud of the person you have helped form me into, other times I feel scared of letting you down in the future. I get scared of not knowing what to do without your advice, not so much telling me what to do as helping me to see all sides, both inside and outside of the box. Some nights I lie awake playing and re-playing in my mind your final hours, others I think back to good times past and fall swiftly asleep on a feeling of comfort.
I hope all is well with you, and I hope that the “afterlife” is what you thought it would be and that you and your father have been able to reconcile, and that one day you will be there waiting for me. Until then I will hold on to my memories of you. I love you Dad.
Your Son
– “The Big Shooter”
We met in the days of Beverly, Bradford, Henniker and Hillsboro
Circa 1975
Our friendship embraced
A house in Hillsboro-
3 fireplaces in the living room?
Banner Reality and Uncle Milty
Rolling notes with Bill at the Bank
Rolling our eyes with Bill Bundles
Randy Lam – Wine and Wheaties breakfast of champions – the Milford House
Harry Page, the Bradford Cape
Thanksgiving diner
A frozen glass of water – time to go
Always Talk of Tools and Antiques
Restoration Contemplation –
We may not be good but we sure are slow
A barn in Marlboro and Mrs. Dogs
Calling in Well
Our house on Dodge Hill, Henniker
Sunsets with Keith Jarrett
T-shirts declaring Second Place
Loves gained, loves lost
The Concord House, a fire
A passion for Veterans and memories of War
Beautiful handwriting
A trip to Harrisville
One final deal
Robert Frost, poetry
We were blessed to share all this
And laugh a lot.
Hey, Hey – Later, Later – Much Later.
Kenny & Sally Gilbride
Words cannot express how rick changed my life. He was my Hero!
August 30, 2007
Today was the day
you left us.
On a wing of a dove
you flew.
The love and care
you taught us,
Will live on
because of you.
The strength you showed
for many years
The courage
to push on.
We’ll miss you Rick
forever,
But never forget
your smile.
******
You will always hold a very special place in my heart. I will miss our talks, and our laughs, but most of all, I will miss hearing you say, “Gee, ya think” Love you, Deb
On behalf of the administration, faculty, staff and students at Franklin Pierce University, and most especially the Concord Campus, I extend heartfelt sympathy to Richard’s family. He will be remembered fondly by those who knew him and he will always be respected for his scholarly pursuits. He did very well at what was then Franklin Pierce College, and was a wonderful role model to other students for the serious way in which he approached his studies. Peace be with you all.
Rick will always be remembered as a kind soul, good friend, caring person, loving father. This is for his family & friends:
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there. I did not die.
Rick & I spent time speaking of our belief of the hereafter. He is no longer suffering in this life. Rick’s soul is finally free.
Our deepest sympathy goes to everyone in his family and those who knew and loved him. May the goddess be with all of you. We’ll see you again some day our friend.
Love
Sandie, David, Matt.
Hey Dad,
I really miss you. I am glad your not in any pain anymore. I’ll be talking to you. Take care.
Paulo
I’m a friend of Al and Deb’s. I am truly sorry for your loss. I never had the honor of meeting Rick but by reading the article about him and the stories Al has told, I know he was an American hero. May his memories bring a smile to your faces. My thoughts are with you all.
Walking around in the mountains, if you listen closely, you can hear the Goddess whisper “it isn’t how long you live, it’s how well you live”….
I love you Rick, thank you for teaching me that, you have given so much to so many, you will forever be in my heart, my guidance, my inspiration, my Brother.