Richard L. Stoecker

Richard L. Stoecker, 85, of Madison, CT, died peacefully on November 19, 2010. He was born March 3, 1925 to the late Helen (Tuite) and Louis Stoecker. “Dick” was raised in Maplewood, NJ and graduated from Columbia High School.

Dick was a World War II veteran. He was selected for admission to the U.S. Navy V-12 program at Dartmouth College to become a commissioned officer. He completed the V-12 program at Dartmouth followed by a pre-Midshipman program at Princeton University. He obtained his commission at Columbia University Midshipman School in August 1945 and then served on the U.S.S. PC-616 in the Pacific until 1946.

Dick returned to Dartmouth College and graduated class of 1947, with an A.B. degree in economics. At Dartmouth, he was a member of Zeta Psi fraternity and the marching band.

After graduation, Dick worked for the U.S. Gypsum Co. in NJ. He was an Eagle Scout Scoutmaster and Rotarian in Maplewood, NJ.

Dick married Shirley Hedden on March 31, 1951. Just prior to their wedding, he received orders to return to active duty and report to Norfolk, VA to serve on the U.S.S. Gearing (DD 710) during the Korean conflict. He spent 22 months on active duty which included a Mediterranean tour with the 6th Fleet during which he was gunnery officer (Lieutenant USNR) aboard the U.S.S. Gearing.

Dick worked for Pitney Bowes for over 30 years, retiring in 1987. He held various sales positions in NJ and was branch manager in Grand Rapids, MI. In 1961, he was transferred to CT and became regional manager in Southern CT for 17 years. After retiring from Pitney Bowes, Dick opened his own business, “Madison Metered Mailers”.

Active in volunteer work, Dick participated on the Madison Shellfish Commission for nine years (chairman for three years), worked the Madison election polls for 30 years, and was an RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) travel counselor at the State of Connecticut Welcome Center.

Dick loved music and played the trumpet and sousaphone in marching bands while in high school, college and the military. He was a golfer and a 30 year member of the Madison Country Club. Dick enjoyed boating (both power and sail) and was an avid fisherman and member of the Connecticut Surfcasters Association. He was a “scalloper” on Nantucket and had personal lobster pots which he harvested in his Boston Whaler in Long Island Sound.

Dick is survived by his wife of sixty years, Shirley Stoecker, of Madison, CT; his daughter Susan and her husband Jack McGillis of Oakland, CA; his son Rich Stoecker and his wife Pam of Branford CT; two grandsons Sam and Paul Stoecker of Branford CT; and five nieces and a nephew. He was pre-deceased by his sister Margaret Moseley, his brother-in-law Cameron Moseley and his niece Peggy Moseley.

Swan Funeral Home of Madison is in charge of arrangements. Private services will be held at West Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to CRIS Radio for the Blind, 315 Windsor Ave., Windsor, CT 06095 or a charity of the donor’s choice. Please visit www.swanfuneralhomemadison.com for an online tribute.