Anthony L. Rickley

Anthony L. Rickley (Tony, Rick) of Reading, formerly of Lawrence, passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on Friday, January 8, 2016. Rick was predeceased by his loving wife of 67 years Helen (DeFusco) and his parents, Adelina (Gallo) and Louis.

Rick had three passions in life; family, work and community. He was a constant source of strength, support and wisdom, acting as a rudder for his family. He worked tirelessly to make a better life for them. A highlight of Rick's day was maintaining correspondence by email with family and cherished friends. His devotion to his community began when he joined the US Navy on 3/31/1942 and served for 3 years, 6 months and 18 days until the end of the war with Japan. He was credited with participation in the American Theater, and the Asiatic / Pacific Theater, awarded the WWII Victory Medal and Good Conduct Medal. Rick was chosen for the V-12 Program (Officer's Candidate School), earned an electrical engineering degree from Tufts University and built a career with Doble Engineering Company spanning 62 years. He started his work career at Doble as a student engineer in 1947 and retired as Doble's senior vice president. During this remarkable career, Rick served on the Board of Directors as well as a consultant. He authored and published more than 100 technical papers. Rick presented his papers world-wide at various conferences sponsored by his company, building a global network of colleagues and friends. Rick was a founding member of the Reading Y's Men organization; the seed of today's Reading YMCA. He served as a Reading town meeting member for 37 years, sometimes serving as the unofficial chaplin. Rick was a faithful communicant of St. Athanasius Church with the distinction of being one of St. Athanasius' first families.

Rick will be greatly missed by his loving family; his daughter Patricia Quade and her husband Richard; his daughter Nancy Taylor and her husband James; his daughter Martha Polley and her husband James; four grandchildren; four great grandchildren; a brother, three sisters and a brother-in-law; numerous nieces; nephews; several great nieces and nephews; and all those who were touched by his generosity, kindness and wisdom.

A Funeral Mass celebrating Anthony's Eternal Life will be held in St. Athanasius Church, 300 Haverhill St., Reading on Wednesday, January 13th at 11:00 am. Family and friends are cordially invited to gather and share remembrances with the Family on Tuesday, January 12th from 4-8pm in St. Athanasius Church. Interment will be at Forest Glen Cemetery, Reading.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Anthony's memory to St. Athanasius Church, 300 Haverhill St, Reading MA, or Sawtelle Family Hospice House 320 Haverhill Street, Reading, MA.