Richard M. Dickie Nee

Scarborough - Richard M. Dickie Nee, 59, passed away on Saturday, December 24, 2016 at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House surrounded by his beloved family. Born on July 31, 1957, in Portland, Dickie was the son of Thomas and Kathryn (Sandberg) Nee. He was a graduate of Cheverus High School, Class of 1975 and attended Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute and the University of Maine at Orono. As a young man, Dickie met the love of his life, Kathryn Katie Griffin. On May 14, 1983, Dickie and Katie were married and soon thereafter, started a family of their own. At their home in South Portland, Dickie and Katie were blessed with seven children who were the light of his life. Following in his fathers footsteps, Dickie worked at Calvary Cemetery for several years before deciding to try a new path as a landscaper with his uncle, Al Lappin, Sr. Ultimately, however, Dickie decided to return to Calvary Cemetery where he worked alongside his father until Thomas Nees retirement in the mid-1990s. At that point, Dickie became the Superintendent of the cemetery, a position that he referred to simply as grave digger. Dickie took great pride in his work and had an extraordinary ability to provide comfort and support to the thousands of families who sought his services at the cemetery over the years. In the more than 40 years that he worked there, Dickie showed remarkable respect both for those buried in the cemetery and for those who were left to grieve. Dickie was an avid sports fan who enjoyed rooting for all of the Boston teams and also loved local high school sports. He took great pride in his Irish heritage, had a strong Catholic Faith, and had a wonderful quick wit and sense of humor. In his unwavering support for his children, Annie and Coleman, Dickie was a huge advocate for children with special needs. In 2014, Dickie ran the Boston Marathon to raise money and awareness for Rett Syndrome research, a cause especially close to his heart. Above all else, Dickie loved his family and enjoyed nothing more than spending time with them. Always concerned with the health and well-being of the people he loved, Dickie put his family before himself even in his final days. Dickie was a loving husband, devoted parent, and proud grandparent. He will be deeply missed by all who had the honor of knowing him. Dickie was predeceased by his son, Seamus Nee in 2003; brother, Thomas Nee, Jr. in 2011; father-in-law, William Griffin in 1994; and nephew, Ben Clough in 1998. Dickie joined his family in Heaven to welcome his father, Thomas J. Nee, Sr., who passed away on December 25, 2016. Dickie is survived by his mother, Kathryn Kay Nee of Portland; wife, Kathryn Katie Nee; children, William Nee of South Portland, Patrick Nee of Portland, Bridget McNamara and husband John of South Portland, Mary Nee of Scarborough, Coleman Nee of Scarborough and Annie Nee of Scarborough; siblings, Kathryn Lovejoy of South Portland, Mary Clough and husband Paul of Westbrook, Patricia MacNeill of South Portland, Stephen Nee and wife Joy of Portland, Michael Nee and wife Melissa of South Portland. He is also survived by his grandson, Seamus Richard Nee, mother-in-law, Ellen Griffin of South Portland, several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Visiting Hours will be held on Thursday, December 29, 2016 from 4-8PM at the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited at the Funeral Home on Friday, December 30, 2016 at 10:15AM followed by an 11AM Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Cross Church, 124 Cottage Road, South Portland. Interment to follow at Calvary Cemetery, Broadway, South Portland. To view Dickies memorial page or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to support Dickies special needs children, Annie and Coleman. For more information, please visitwww.gofundme.com/35p266gc