S. Richard Mack, 94
PORTLAND – S. Richard Mack, 94, passed away peacefully at home on Sept. 12, 2016, after a brief illness. He was born in Portland in 1921, from Russian immigrant parents, Louis and Annie Seavey Mack. He resided there his entire life, spending winters in Boca Raton, Fla.
After graduating Portland High School, his plans for attending Boston University were curtailed by World War II. Serving as a sergeant in the Army Air Force, he was in charge of training fighter plane mechanics. It was there at Seymour Air Force Base in North Carolina, that Dick married his hometown sweetheart, Adele Cohen.
After the war, Dick enrolled in Portland University and continued working in the family recycling business, Louis Mack Co. He worked there his whole life, recently going in as an advisor. Using his mechanical skills, he supervised many repairs while completing seven crosswords every day.
While raising his sons, Cary and Alvin, Dick was their Boy Scout master and instilled in them his love of fishing, skiing, and rooting for the Boston sports teams. Unfortunately, the Patriots weren’t around then, and we all had to root for the New York Giants.
Dick and Adele loved to travel. They took many trips, including traveling to Israel, China, Europe, and Alaska, as well as many cruises.
Until recently, Dick was an avid fisherman, taking his beloved boat, the Big Mack, five miles out to sea for the big catch. You also would find him swimming and on the golf course.
Dick was member of the Shriners, the Masonic Brotherhood, and the Temple Beth brotherhood.
Besides his parents, Dick was preceded by sisters, Betty Press and Bertha Mack; and brother, Sidney Mack.
Dick will be missed by his loving wife of 73 years, Adele; sisters, Ethel Rubinstein and Helen Hoffman; son, Dr. Cary Mack and wife, Kathi; son, Alvin Mack and wife Carole; grandchildren Adam Mack, Shana Treger, and husband Greg; Alison Mack, Andrew Mack and fiancé Shanti, and Michael Levesque; great-grandchildren Spencer and Talia Treger, Ava Mack, Gregory Crockett, and Sunday Levesque; sister-in-law Selma Pluznick; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Many heartfelt thanks for the wonderful care given by Dr. Gary Green and Pam, and Stacy and Becca from Hospice and Palliative Care.
Funeral services will be held at Temple Beth El, 400 Deering Ave., Portland, at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 15. Interment will be at Mount Carmel Cemetery immediately following the service.
Arrangements are by the Jewish Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers,
donations may be made to
Compassus Hospice
and Palliative Care
23 Spring Street
Scarborough, ME 04074,
or any other charity.