1930 – 2016

UMATILLA, Fla. — Richard Milligan, 85, passed away Saturday, Jan. 9, at home with his wife by his side after battling dementia for a number of years.

Dick was born in Augusta on Dec. 9, 1930, the son of Walter and Evangeline Fisher Milligan.

After graduating from Cony High School in 1949, he joined the U.S. Air Force and served in the Korean War. Upon his discharge, he joined the Air National Guard from 1959 to 1962. Dick earned his bachelor’s degree from Gorham State Teachers College, followed by his master’s degree from Keene State Teachers College. He began his teaching career in Groveton, N.H., working there from 1958 to 1963. He later moved to Stafford Springs, Conn., and taught from 1964 to 1965. Dick then moved back home to Maine and began a fulfilling career at Monmouth Academy, working there from 1965 to 1987.

In 1959, he married Mary Bridges from Dexter, who predeceased him in 1974. In 1976, he married Cynthia Nevers Howard of Winthrop.

Dick was the first assistant fire chief in the Monmouth Fire Department from 1968 until his retirement; he was a member of the Maine Teachers Association, NEA and the Maine State Retired Teachers Association. He was a life member of IAABO with 30-plus years of basketball officiating, and a member of the Central Maine Football Association. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Mount Dora, Fla., Masonic Lodge No. 110 in Monmouth, receiving a 50-year pin. He was also a member of the American Legion Post of Winthrop, and AMVETS Post No. FL-1992.

During his retirement years, he worked for Bragdon-Finley Funeral Home in Monmouth and Livermore Falls.

Dick is survived by his wife of 39 years, Cynthia; sons, Scott and wife, Elizabeth, and Dean and wife, Laurieann; daughters, Lori Barry and husband, Tom, and Wanda Foss and husband, Steve. He was also blessed with nine grandchildren, Richard Grant II, and wife, Norma, Jennifer Barry, Erica Grant, Tabitha Barry, Josh Jean, Nicholas Milligan, Chandler Milligan, Mary Milligan and Giovanni Pitts; and three great-grandchildren, Jared, Logan and Peyton Grant.

Dick was predeceased by his parents; his brothers, Walter and Robert; his sisters, Frances Ellis, Madaline Tatlock and Marie Spear; and his daughter, Marcia Ann.

Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.finleyfuneralhome.com.