Wayne Dickinson, 76, of Somerset MA died December 25th at his home after a long battle with cancer. Born and raised in Acushnet MA he was the son of the late Tom and Marion Dickinson. He was a longtime Acushnet resident, buying his first house there, where he lived with his first wife Joyce and their son Wayne.
As a young man he worked for the Acushnet Highway department. He then gravitated toward law enforcement and worked as a corrections officer in New Bedford MA and a police officer at the Newport Naval Station in Rhode Island. He later transitioned to the health care industry as a Certified Nursing Assistant for various organizations, including hospice while living in Florida and Arizona.
Wayne was a serious judo practitioner (Judoka) winning several local and regional medals and trophies, including the New England Championships during the 1970’s. He earned his Shodan (1st degree black belt) promotion in 1972 and would eventually reach the rank of Sandan (3rd degree black belt). He was Head Coach at the Fall River Recreation Judo Club in the mid-seventies and won the Service to Youth award in 1976. He was the Tournament Director for the 1976 East Coast Yudanshakai Team Judo Championships held in Fall River MA featuring recent Olympic Bronze Medalist Allen Coage (USA). Coage would later go on to fame and fortune as professional wrestler ‘Bad News Brown.’ Wayne forged lifelong friendships throughout the New England judo community and later coached briefly when he lived in Florida. His brother Tom, son Wayne and daughter in-law Barbara are also black belt judoka.
Wayne loved animals, particularly dogs. His beloved canines included Wolf, Laddie, Coffee, Ugie, Bruno, Baby Dog and Pedro. He contributed to many animal causes and charities. He also genuinely cared for his fellow man, contributing to several human service charities including The Salvation Army and Feed the Children. During the summer of 1986 he and his wife boarded two children from Northern Ireland, one protestant, one catholic, during the height of the violent conflict with Great Britain.
Wayne was very proud of his sobriety, nearly 30 years at the time of his death. His relationship with Alcoholics Anonymous from Florida to Arizona and back here in Somerset were very special to him. He never forgot the people he helped and especially remembered the people who helped him.
Wayne was an avid Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan. He particularly enjoyed the Sox latest run to the 2018 World Series Championship.
He is survived by his son Wayne and daughter in-law Barbara of Somerset, his brother Bruce and sister in-law Roxanne of Freetown, brother Tom from Florida, step grandsons Kenny Blakey of Fall River and Kevin Blakey of Tiverton RI, his ex-wife and beloved friend to the end Michelle Hedges Dickinson of Florida, step daughters Tara Sheets of Missouri and Erin Kendee of Florida, stepson Adam Mlnarik of Missouri and step grandchildren Emma Sheets and Isaac Kendee, cousins Karl Dlugosinski of Mattapoisett, Mark Urbanek of Canton and George Stein of Atlanta GA and also by his childhood and lifelong friend Charlie Swift of Freetown.
A Funeral Home Service will be held on January 5 at 11:00 AM in Waring-Sullivan Home at Rose E. Sullivan, 866 County Street, Somerset. Visiting hours will be immediately prior from 10:00 - 11:00 AM. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers donations to the American Cancer Society in his memory are appreciated.
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