Richard John Harries, Jr.

Richard “Dick” Harries of Sandwich passed away peacefully on January 31st, with his children at his side. 

Born in Norfolk, VA, on June 2nd, 1937, Dick and his siblings traveled the globe in their early years as children of Naval Chief Warrant Officer Richard Harries and his wife Kathryn (McKittrick) Harries. The Harries family settled on Davis Street in Wollaston, which became the family home for many years. Dick graduated with the Archbishop Williams High School Class of 1955 along with some of his lifelong friends, and later earned B.S and M.A degrees from Boston College. For all his professional successes, if there were a theme that ran steadily through Dick’s life, it would be making lifelong friends at each stop along the way.

Dick was designated a Naval Aviator and earned a commission in the United States Navy on September 14th, 1960. After nearly two decades of faithful service, he earned the rank of Lieutenant Commander and was a supremely qualified Pilot in Command of the P-2V Neptune, an anti-submarine long-range patrol aircraft. His adventures in the Navy included bases in Key West, Spain, Norfolk, Brunswick and South Weymouth. He flew extended UNITAS exercises in and over nearly every country in Central and South America, and conducted expeditionary operations actively tracking Soviet submarines during the Cuban Missile Crisis. As exciting as this sounds, what Dick brought home from these adventures were more lifelong friends who his children knew well throughout their upbringing.

Upon leaving active-duty service with the Navy, Dick began a wonderful 25 year career with IBM. Again, he enjoyed professional success as a member and then leader of standout sales and marketing teams, being recognized in IBM’s Golden Circle and as a recipient of the prestigious Eagle Award. And again, what really mattered to Dick were the lifelong friends he made there. During this time, Dick married Carol Ann Healy of Roslindale, and together they raised two children, Richard and Cara. After IBM (“I’ve Been Moved”) postings in Boston, Poughkeepsie and Albany, the family settled on Central Street in Hingham, in what became known as “The Harries Tavern.” To Rich and Cara, this was the time when Dad’s star shone brightest. This era can be best described as a whirlwind of constant activity and great times, surrounded by friends and family. In no specific order this included epic parties in Squantum hosted by sister Jean and Golden family, snowmobiling and moose sightings in Epping, NH, hosted by sister Tish and Chamberlain family, Marshfield beach summers with brother Tom and Harries family centered around Casa Berrini, Duxbury parties with sister in-law Ginny and Tangney family, Mad River Glen ski trips with and thanks to Gibbons family, Squam Lake trips with Stuart family, Windigo with Sandy Weld, continuous parties with friends borne of Hingham and Cohasset Tennis Clubs, Hingham Yacht Club, and of coaching kid’s sports. Dick coached almost everything Rich or Cara played including basketball, baseball, softball and sailing. He was always present, even if it meant he led batting practice in a Brooks Brother’s suit and tie straight from the office. As Rich and Cara’s sailing commitments grew, Dick participated at a high level, jointly coaching teams that represented the United States to five 420 sailboat class world championships in Belgium, Hungary, Australia, Italy and France. To Rich and Cara’s cousins and friends, Dick was a legend. He was, “The Man.”

In retirement, Dick met and fell in love with Nancy Stevenson. They settled in Sandwich and immersed themselves in the community. They enjoyed winter escapes to Arizona to be with Nancy’s son Howard and Stevenson family and frequently traveled to Connecticut to be with Nancy’s daughter Lori and Talucci family. Dick was incredibly proud of Nancy’s grandchildren and supported Nancy to be at every milestone they could manage. 

Dick is survived by Nancy Stevenson and her family including sister Cindy Stewart, son Howard and Stevenson family and daughter Lori and Talucci Family. Dick is survived by his first wife, Carol, children Rich and Cara, their spouses Cecilia and Scott, and grandchildren Jack and Eva Harries, and Reid and Megan Plamondon. When grandchildren visited the Cape, they were treated to high speed runs up Scorton Creek in Jack Rabbit, fishing for stripers, fishing the pond, jumping the Sandwich Boardwalk, and wrapping each day at a Cape Ice Cream Shoppe. If Dick was able to travel to one of his grandchildren’s games, he and Nancy would be front row for soccer, baseball, lacrosse, field hockey or football. Dick is predeceased by his sisters Jean Golden and Patricia “Tish” Chamberlain, and survived by his brother Tom, wife Lana and Harries Family. Dick is survived by many nieces and nephews who he held dear and reminisced about with Rich and Cara in recent months. 

Dick’s was a life lived well and lived fully. He didn’t complain, he worked hard, he led by example, and he made sure he and those around him enjoyed the ride. Nothing was more precious to him than great times spent with friends and family.

Special thanks from the Harries family go to the expert and compassionate medical professionals at St. Elizabeth, South Shore, New England and Cape Cod hospitals, as well as the McCarthy Hospice House. A final thanks to Carlo DiPersio, another of Dick’s lifelong friends made in his last twenty years, who has been a daily companion, confidant, and mischief maker who “fought city hall” alongside Dick because it was the right thing to do. Fun and games! 

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visiting hours on Wednesday 2/5/2025 from 4-7 PM in the Keohane Funeral Home, 785 Hancock St., QUINCY. A Funeral Mass will be Thursday 2/6/2025 in St. Ann’s Church, Quincy at 10:30 AM. Burial will be Friday 2/7/2025 in MA National Cemetery, Bourne at 12:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Dick may be made to the Semper Fi & America’s Fund, 825 College Blvd, Suite 102, PMB 609, Oceanside, CA 92057.