Richard Alves

DENMARK — Richard M. “Dick” Alves, 73, of Denmark, died unexpectedly, Thursday, May 4, 2017 at his home in Denmark.

He was born on Dec. 21, 1943, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, a son of Manuel and Isabel (Ferreira) Alves. He attended Cumberland, Rhode Island schools, graduating from Cumberland High School.

After high school, Dick enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard. He served as a lighthouse keeper in Rhode Island and Maine, including the Block Island Lighthouse in Rhode Island.

Dick worked for many years driving transport trucks, and later owned and operated his own transport business, Red Rock Trucking in Seekonk, Mass. He retired to Maine in the early 1990s with his wife, Deanna (Fox) Souza, whom he married on Sept. 27, 1992, in Dighton, Mass.

He was a member of the Denmark Lions Club and the Pine Tree Trail Riders, and was active in the men’s bible study group at the Brown Church in Conway, N.H.

Dick enjoyed riding his dirt bike, and was lovingly referred to as the “trail boss” because of his knowledge of local trails, even having illustrated various trail maps. After 50 years he learned to play the saxophone and was very well-received, playing in various churches and at the Fryeburg Health Care Center. He made many friends over the years in all of his travels, especially in Myrtle Beach, S.C., where he and Deanna wintered.

He is survived by his wife, Deanna Alves of Denmark; a stepson, Ed Souza of Somerset, Mass.; a grandson, Raymond Barnhart of Portland; a brother, Peter F. Alves and his wife, Dianna of Montgomery, Ala.; sister, Donna Chaput and her husband, Joseph of Cumberland, R.I.; and nephews, Peter Alves Jr., Jay and Jarred Keneally. He was predeceased by his parents, Manuel and Isabel Alves; and two daughters, Karen and Linda Alves.

A celebration of Dick’s life will be held at 3:30 p.m., Friday, May 12, at the home of Ed and Deb Fulton, 245 Highland Park, Fryeburg, Maine 04037. Arrangements are in the care of the Wood Funeral Home, 9 Warren St., Fryeburg.

Words of condolence and tribute may be shared with Dick’s family at www.woodfuneralhome.org