Richard F. Wareing, 88, of New Bedford died peacefully December 7, 2022 at Brookdale Sakonnet Bay in Tiverton after a long illness.
Born in New Bedford, son of the late Richard H. and Ethel May (Kilburn) Wareing, he lived in New Bedford almost his entire life.
He was formerly employed as a gas serviceman and then as a supervisor at New Bedford Gas Edison Light Company and its successor Commonwealth Gas for over 30 years until his retirement in 1991. He was known for his attention to detail, problem solving, and his comprehensive knowledge of the workings of gas stoves and heaters. He was twice a shop steward and also served as the management representative in collective bargaining. He was respected by both labor and management for his judgment and fairness.
He graduated from New Bedford Vocational High School in 1952 and later attended Bristol Community College.
He served in the U.S. Navy from 1954-1958, most notably on the first operational cruise of the U.S.S. Forestal, America's first supercarrier. He also served on the U.S.S. Lake Champlain, the U.S.S. Wasp, the U.S.S. Franklin Delano Roosevelt and at the Guantanamo Naval Base and the Quonset Naval Air Station. He was very proud of his military service.
He had many interests. He was a voracious reader of American history, aviation, and economics. He loved cars and read extensively about automobiles and automotive history. He loved to build both wood and plastic models, principally of aircraft, but also of boats and ships. He loved antiquing and became an expert in early 20th century American pottery. He also loved tools and enjoyed doing house projects well into his 80's. In his later years he came to enjoy flight simulators and particularly loved flying the simulated Boeing PT-17 Stearman.
He was reserved and often formal, but those who came to know him well loved his sense of humor, his insight and his skills as a conversationalist. He will be greatly missed by his survivors who include his son, Richard F. Wareing to whom he was a devoted and loving father, and who was the focus of his life and for whom he made many sacrifices, as well as his daughter-in-law, Rebecca Wareing, both of Colchester, CT; his former wife and best friend, Janice (Silva) Fernald of New Bedford, with whom he enjoyed many happy hours of antiquing; his 2 nephews, Jeffrey Silva and Gregory Silva; and his great-nephew, Aidan Silva.
His visiting hours will be held on Saturday, December 17th from 11 AM - 1 PM at the from the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to Visiting Nurse Home Hospice, 1184 East Main Rd., Portsmouth RI 02837. Please write "Hospice" on the re line of checks.