Richard D. Waddell, 71, of Fort Myers, FL, passed away on February 12, 2018, at the St. Petersburg General Hospital. He was born in Gloucester, MA. He served his country during the Vietnam War as a member of the United States Marine Corps. When he returned home, he made a career of being a Commercial Fisherman in the North Atlantic. He moved to Florida in the early 1980’s.
Richard was a loving husband and he cared for his wife deeply. He also really enjoyed her cooking. He was a man who loved the holidays, especially Christmas, and liked to decorate the house. He was an avid collector of trains and frequently attended conventions and train shows. He was a very proud American and really enjoyed the outdoors. He was also a New England Patriots fan.
He was preceded in death by his parents, David and Janice Waddell. He is survived by his wife, Joan Waddell; son, David Waddell of Dunnellon, FL; step-sons, Daniel, David and Robert Van Pelt and Matthew Hartman; step-daughters, Kathleen and Linda Van Pelt; daughter-in-law, Candice Waddell; and grandchildren, Catlin and Virginia.
He will be greatly missed.
Please sign his guestbook below.
Although I only met my step uncle once, he seemed like an extraordinary man and I would have liked to have heard his stories of fishing, trains and Vietnam.
Sincerest condolences to you Aunt Joan and to our Meyer/Van Pelt cousins and to all the Waddells.