U.S. Army Captain, enjoyed sports, Little League baseball

 

WELLS, Maine — Richard P. “Rich” Moriarty, 81, of Wells, formerly of Naples, Fla. and Wakefield, died early Tuesday morning, Dec. 30, 2014 at his residence following a period of declining health.

He was born in Winchester on Oct. 20, 1933, a son of John Joseph and Mary (Weant) Moriarty. He grew up in Winchester and was a graduate of Manlius School in New York. He continued on to college, earning his bachelor’s degree from Norwich University in Vermont in 1955. He was then commissioned in the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of Captain.

While working as a lifeguard, he met his future wife. On June 23, 1956, he married the former Virginia Cooke. Rich and Ginny made a home in Wakefield, where they raised their family. In 1957 he joined the family flooring business, J.M. O’Callaghan Co., where he worked until the business was sold in 1993. He stayed on for two years, retiring in 1995. He and Ginny then moved to Naples, Fla. where they lived for 17 years, all the while maintaining a retirement home in Wells, to which they permanently moved in 2013.

Rich enjoyed playing and coaching hockey in earlier years and was the safety director for Little League baseball. He liked the ocean and particularly enjoyed body surfing. Rich always had some projects going at the house. He never sat still (even when sitting) and loved to putter around the house. He was quick with a joke but his real passion was working; he loved to work. He was a member of the Stonebridge Country Club and the Norwich University Alumni Association.

Rich was predeceased by a sister Mary O’Brien.

He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years Virginia Moriarty of Wells; four sons, Richard P. Moriarty Jr. and wife Teresa of Sanford, Maine; Wayne Moriarty and wife Jo-Ann of North Reading; Thomas Moriarty and wife Maria of Key Biscayne, Fla; Donald Moriarty of New Hampshire.; his brother John W. Moriarty and wife Shirley of West Newfield, Maine; a sister Anne Nichols and husband Christopher of Warwick, R.I.; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Calling hours are private. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015 at 11 a.m. in Holy Spirit Parish/St. Mary Church, 236 Eldridge Rd., Wells, Maine.