Richard D. Shorey, 82, of Hudson, NH, passed away on June 8, 2017 at his residence after a period of declining health. Richard was born March 16, 1935 in Portsmouth, NH and was the son of the late Agnes and Raymond Sweezy. He was raised in Londonderry and Derry, NH and was educated in Derry Public Schools. He later received his GED through the military. On September 17, 1966 he married his beloved wife Dorothy Shorey. Just this past year they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
In 1952 Richard joined the United States Navy and served on the USS Macon. After four years in the Navy, Richard joined the United States Air Force in 1956 as a flight mechanic. After proudly serving his country for over 20 years Richard retired from the Air Force on July 1, 1973. He and his wife, Dorothy, along with their two daughters moved back to Derry, NH, eventually settling down in Hudson, NH. For many years Richard worked security at Sanders, finally retiring in 1997.
Richard enjoyed spending time with family and friends and could often be found enjoying a beer on the deck with Bob when he wasn’t working on projects around the house. He loved watching westerns and listening to country music as well as bowling, reading, puzzles, funny t-shirts, telling jokes, gardening and feeding the birds that visited his yard.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Dorothy Shorey of Hudson, NH, his daughter and her husband, Tammy and Keith Leonard of Litchfield, NH and their children, Brittanie and her fiancé Kevin, Courtney and Cameron Leonard. He is also survived by his daughter Holly Devine of Hudson, NH and her children, Garrett, Skye and Kylie Devine. His sister and her husband, Elaine and Jim Noble of Derry, NH and her children. He is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews. Mr. Shorey was predeceased by his mother and step father, Agnes and Raymond Sweezy, his sisters, Nancy Rollins and Elaine Shorey as well as his brothers, Len Shorey, Raymond Sweezy Jr and Carl Sweezy. He is also predeceased by his beloved bird George.
Memorial calling hours were held on Thursday, June 15, 2017 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch Street, Derry. For those attending calling hours the family asked that you wear a t-shirt with a funny saying and jeans if you wish in honor of Richard. The burial will be on Friday, June 16, 2017 at 10:00 am at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH. In lieu of flowers the family is asking that donations be made in Richard’s memory to Merrimack Home Health and Hospice or the Wounded Warrior Project.