FORT MYERS, Fla. – Leroy E. Richards, 76, died unexpectedly May 17, 2006, at his home. He was born Jan. 21, 1930, in Bar Harbor, the son of Hoyt and Delma Richards. He graduated from Bar Harbor High School in 1947. He graduated from the Maine Maritime Academy in Castine in 1950 and after worked as chief engineer on oil tankers traveling all over the world. He later joined the Army and served as a helicopter pilot in both the Korean and Vietnam wars for 12 years until he was wounded in Vietnam. He later returned to the maritime service until his retirement after which he later returned to the Bar Harbor area to live. Five years ago he moved to Florida to be near his children because of ill health. He was predeceased by his brothers, Harold in 1965 and Charles in 1990; and by his sister, Elizabeth in 1994. He is survived by his children, Dana, Barbara, Donna, Diane, Douglas and his wife, Robin, and Denise; 10 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; his sister, Edythe Churchill of Farmingdale; his aunt, Myrtle McVay of Ellsworth; many nieces, nephews and cousins. A memorial service with military honors was held June 3, 2006, in Florida.
LEROY E. RICHARDS
