Obituary of Richard G. Bessel

RICHARD G. BESSEL, 97 of Searsport, passed away surrounded by his loving family on March 3, 2012 at Belfast. He was born in New York, New York on December 27, 1914. Richie moved to New Fairfield, Connecticut in 1925 and as a boy worked as a dairy farmer on the family farm for many years. He was one of the original members of the New Fairfield Volunteer Fire Co. He married his beloved wife, Ruth, in 1948, and they raised five loving children. They were long-standing members of the New Fairfield Lutheran Church. He also worked for the New Fairfield Town Highway Department. He and his wife moved to Searsport, Maine in 1992 where he had built their retirement home. They have been members of the Searsport First Congregational Church since then. Richie enjoyed tending his large vegetable garden, hunting and fishing to “put food on the table” for his growing family. He had such a sweet disposition. His family sometimes called him “the History Professor” because he could always recount events going way back in history and loved passing that knowledge on to the next generation. He was predeceased by his parents, Michael and Augusta (Marks) Bessel; brothers Arthur Bessel, Robert Bessel, Henry Bessel, Eric Bessel and sister Augusta “Goody” Bessel Risopp. Survivors include his loving wife Ruth of 63 years, five loving children and their spouses, Cynthia (Bessel) Prusski and Jeffrey of Maine, Nancy (Bessel) Cook and Thomas of Philippines, Richie Bessel Jr., Vickie Bessel and Lew Latanzi, all of Connecticut, Michael Bessel and Kisha of North Carolina; 9 beloved grandchildren, Melinda (McGarty) Webb and husband Rich, Matthew Ferretti and wife Heather Ferretti, Taarak Prusski, Myrta (Prusski) Coleman and husband Chris, Kristen Bessel, Caitlin Bessel, Michaela Bessel, Richie Bessel III, Christian Ronald Cook; and three dear great-grandchildren, Morgan Webb, Sydney Webb and Leah Noel Bessel. He is also survived by many dear nieces, nephews and cousins. A memorial service and reception will be held on Sunday March 11th at 2 p.m. at Searsport First Congregational Church. His family will have a private burial service in the spring at Elmwood Cemetery in Searsport. Arrangements are under the care of Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Avenue, Belfast. On-line condolences may be offered to the family at www.ripostafh.com.