Richard L. Spires, 67, Formerly of Tewksbury

TEWKSBURY, MA — Richard Leslie Spires, age 67, the focus of a local grassroots campaign called “Bring Ricky Home” died Monday afternoon, December 26, at his home in Deltona, Florida, after a courageous three year battle with cancer. Ricky’s dying wish was to be returned to Tewksbury, and buried beside his brother, SP4 Robert Spires, who lost his life in combat in Vietnam. Funding for his burial was an issue until Ricky’s friends, led by Fred Shine and John Bushway, staged a benefit in October at the Tewksbury-Wilmington Elks, which raised enough money to enable Rick’s family to meet his dying wish. Ricky will be coming home.

He was born in Portland, Maine in February 1949, one of five children of the late Warren and Glenna (Feeney) Spires. He was raised in Tewksbury and attended Tewksbury schools. He was married to Susan A. (Roy) Spires, who died in 2007.

Rick enlisted in the U.S.M.C. during the Vietnam War, and lost his leg in combat. He earned and was awarded the Purple Heart Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device, and the Good Conduct Medal.

In earlier years, Ricky was active in the Ocala, FL, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post and the D.A.V. and later Manchester, NH, American Legion Post.

He leaves three children, Linda S. Clark of Deltona, Donna M. Vandermeide and her husband Eric of Navarre, FL, and Richard L. Spires Jr., and his wife Rebecca (Kosydar); two sisters, Donna Pederson of Chelmsford, and Karen Collins and her husband Fred of Martha’s Vineyard and Lighthouse Point, FL; ten grandchildren, Gabriel Clark, Aren Clark and his wife Abigale, Kayley Clark, Haeven Storms, Samantha Boatwright, Jake Vandermeide, Kyle Vandermeide, Tyler Spires, Hannah Spires, and Emily Spires; several nieces and nephews; and was predeceased by his brothers, Robert Everett Spires, U.S. Army, and Douglas Spires.

Visiting hours will be held Wednesday, Jan. 4. From 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. in the Tewksbury Funeral Home, corner of Dewey and Main Sts. (Rte. 38) TEWKSBURY CENTER, Ph. (800 in MA or 978) 851 2950. His funeral service will be held Thursday at 11:00 a.m. in the Tewksbury United Methodist Church, corner of South and Main Sts. (Rte. 38) Tewksbury.

Burial with U.S.M.C. Honors will follow at Tewksbury Cemetery. Kindly omit flowers. Memorials to the Tewksbury D.A.V. Post 110, 180 Pond St., Tewksbury, MA 01876 will be appreciated. visit tewksburyfuneralhome.com

Obituary and photo courtesy of the Tewksbury Funeral Home.