When we got our first 'real band' going in 1971, Dick was nothing less than exhuberant-offering us much advice on so many things like 'reading an audience' and 'adjusting to that audience on the fly' so any gig wuld be a smash! Simply one of the finest musicians (and persons) I've ever had the honor to have known! I remember you Dick on this day.. as so many do..

i am saddened to find out of the passing of Dick
He was my guitar teacher at the Academy in Orleans.   Actually he was much more then that as my lessons turned into a friendship.    God bless you Dick.     Rest in Peace

Glen Southwick

Dick was my neighbor when he was growing up in Manchester. I remember, peering into the basement window to watch them play and Dick came and invited me downstairs. I think that’s where my first love of music began . I have a tape from the band connection that I love to listen to that him and the bands members had made. You may be gone my friend, but you are dearly remembered. Sincerely, Barbara Cassel.

'Dick' Stocks ( as we knew him.. was THE most influential person in many 'up & coming' young musicians lives! My friends and I were going to the music store where he worked, from the late 60's to the early-mid 1970's.  He was THE most amazing musician! We all held him in awe & respect- because he was SO very much talented (than all of us put together!) he  TREATED us like 'one of the Pro's! This was the opposite that the then owner of the place who always belittled us and talked down to us ( 'you guys LOOKIN.. or BUYIN!' ) while Dick would take an instrument we'd look at ( they were mostly high up out of reach ) and see that 'that instrument was our DREAM! ) then take it down and tell us, 'go on.. try it out' knowing we could not afford them! I remember one particular day, when myself and our bands Bass player were there. Dick took down an acoustic guitar and played the intro to 'Venture a Highway' exactly like the record!! Once he left the store- we stopped going there- even for records.. I was Blessed to have had a long conversation with him ( in the mid 90's ) from the Studio I owned- by then I'd become a music industry music producer/engineer, and I got to tell him it was one of the top absolute honors of my life.. to have known him and been influenced by him! He played it down.. like, 'Awwww shucks!' I did not know he'd passed.. Sincere-deepest condolences to all.. Dick- you will NEVER be forgotten! A time when 'Musicians.. WERE Musicians'.. 
Steve

Dick and i went to school togeather at manchester high we had a couple of classes togeather we had a lot of good times togeather but we got caught sometimes.He was a good friend to hav but that was a long time ago. I have attended a few performances he had done in Manchester.the people of manchester from the 60's will miss him

I knew Dick through our joint relationship with the Academy of Performing Arts....he as a integral member of the stage orchestra
and I as a member of the on-stage cast. He was a friend---to this frequently insecure actor and occasional singer. When I needed encouragement (what actor/singer doesn't), he was there. He was a consummate professional, a master of whatever instrument you put in his hands....I will miss APA and I will miss him, as a friend and  an encourager.

Dear Sheri,
                      Please accept my condolences. You are fortunate to have spent so much of your life with Dick and I know he would say the same about you! Bless you and your family. Rick

to Sheri, daughters and grandchildren.  I think you all know what dick meant to me.  My sincerest condolences to the family, and all who knew and loved him.

Sheri,
I was so sad to hear of Richard's passing. Our families were friends since my early childhood. I still remember Richard playing the accordion every Christmas Eve at there home in Manchester. His band played at our wedding in 1967. He was so talented and a great guy. It was nice to see him at all our class reunions, doing what he loved. He will be missed.

Bob Edelson

To my dearest Sherri and girls....
Just finding out of my long time friend and mentors passing.  My heart aches for you all as I know how much he loved his family, friends and life!
I have reached out to many of his music family and they are in absolute disbelief of his passing.  Dick was a dear friend to me and so supportive of my musical journey on the Cape.  I will never forget him and he will always hold a Special place in my heart.  Keep playing your music in heaven Dick, and hug my Jen while your there .........now I get to miss you both.

Dear Sheri, Jen, Kerry & family,
Been thinking a lot lately of all the good times the four and three of us have shared over the years.  Sheri’s parents actually introduced Arthur & I to Dick and Sheri. Inez worked at Mid Cape and so did Arthur.  We four had great chemistry.  

I am writing this with such sadness in my heart.  Dick was such a force.  Great wit, sense of humor and empathy for others.  He adored Sheri, the girls, and their grandchildren.  You all carry his heart and his legacy.  Know it won’t be an easy road ahead. The grief and missing him will be so overwhelming at times.  Just go to all the memories and love for each other you shared.  It will soften your grief.

I’m so sorry I can’t make the service, but know as soon as I get back up there Sheri and I will get together and reminisce our dear husbands.
May your grief be gentle.  Rest In Peace, dear friend.
All my love, Cathy, Cara & Peter Croce 



I was shocked and saddened with the news of my friends passing. What a great upbeat and extremely talented guy. He and Tom Tracey played at my wedding some 40 years ago. He was way to young for me to be writing this. So we have lost another artist who made our world much more beautiful. 
 Rest in PEACE my friend
Nate Nickerson

Remembering all the good times and fun we had back in school.  So sorry to hear about Dick.

I had the pleasure of playing in some shows with Dick at HJT in recent years, where he always kept me entertained backstage with tales from his long career and lessons learned from musicians both famous and obscure. His dedication to his art and family was admirable. My condolences to his loved ones.

Sheri, Kerry, Jennifer and family, I am so sorry to hear about your Dad.  What a wonderful man he was.  I can still see his smiling face each time Kerry or Jennifer went out to cheer at Nauset.  He loved his family and it showed in his smile.  Please think of the wonderful memories that you had with him and let those memories get you through the sorrow.  With Deepest Sympathy, Robin Walker



 Sheri so sad to hear about Dick's crossing over you both have been great friends and people close to me. I will always cherish our times together. Any time I go dancing I will always be seeing  Dick in the back round. I can still hear that sax. God bless and take care




















Mr. Stocks always made our lessons fun and you could tell he truly wanted his students to enjoy music, not just go through the motions. He would always tell me funny and interesting stories about his life, and even when he would repeat one to me I could never tell him I already knew it! I’ll think of him whenever I pick up my guitar. 

his musical inspiration for many he was my guitar teacher and every Wednesday I would get lessons from this wonderful soul.  Full of love and I always felt like one his sons, 

My older cousin Dick – our Italian grandfathers were brothers – insisted on teaching me major seventh chords and songs from groups like Chicago when all I wanted from my beginner guitar lessons at Ray Beller's was to play the most basic songs of the late ’60s. When I was a teen, Dick played in Manchester bands and drove a Corvette. He was my aspirational cousin. A meticulous woodworker, he even refinished my Fender Jazzmaster back to the natural wood. 

One New Year’s Eve Dick needed a fourth player at the Sheraton in Eastham and called on me. Somehow we made it through the night as he sang, played keyboards and called out the next chord to me between phrases. Only now do I realize how musically talented one has to be to be that quick. 

Over the years I saw Dick and Sheri all too infrequently but he did get a kick out of being "The Godfather" to my son John. Those that find a way to make a life of music and touch so many are rare. He explained his playing out technique to me once. He said, “We (the band) are having a party and you (the audience) are invited.” I still play those major seventh chords every week. Thanks for the lessons, cousin.

It was with great sorrow that I learned of Dick’s passing. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with him for over 20 years at the APA school. He was a key member of our APA family and one of the pillars of our faculty with an impressive history as a musician.  He was a beloved and respected teacher, a positive role model, and a kind, good natured presence who was always welcoming and welcome.  Sheri, we will not be back on Cape until Dec. 14 and are so very sorry to miss the service. We will be with you in spirit and send you and your family love and support.  I will always remember Dick with fondness, respect and appreciation.   Tricia 

Dick and I go back to fifth grade in Manchester Connecticut.  He got me into music with his first instructor, Mr. Bennett and I thank him for that. I'm sure he will be be correcting the angels in heaven on playing the harp correctly. Condolences to all in his family. The world is a little less musical today.

Dear Sheri and family,    So sad to hear of the passing of Dick, he was an inspiration to me as a friend mentor and fine human being.  I will always remember going for my lessons with Dick every Friday at Beller's . I learned so much from him not only music composition but how to conduct myself as a professional.  I will never forget the time my brother snuck me in to see Dick play at Stanley Greens in Manchester what a great time.  And all the great times you came to the lake, great memories. Dick will be missed by so many people whose lives he touched in such a positive way.    Your friend always
John Melo

Dick was a fabulous musician who often played guitar in our bands with our musical director Bob Wilder at Cape Cod Theatre Company/Harwich Junior Theatre, Inc.  Dick was such a kind and generous man and we loved talking with him and hearing his wonderful stories about playing in bands during his early career. He always had a smile for everyone.  I had a wonderful conversation with him on Sunday, November 10 when he expressed his deep and abiding love for Sheri and how grateful he was for his family. We will miss him and are dedicating our next show, Elf the Musical to him. May his memory eternally be for a blessing. With deepest condolences to all his loved ones. Nina Schuessler.

I had the pleasure of working with Dick for over 20 years at the Academy of Performing Arts. He was a wonderful colleague and a fabulous music teacher. He was loved by his students and he was always ready to lend a hand whenever or however needed.  Sherri, you are in my thoughts.

Dick - or Mr. Stocks to me - was my flute teacher in elementary school. Through the years we always kept in touch; I would come see theater shows in Orleans where he was in the band and he always stayed after the show to catch up with me. Once out of college I started performing at the Academy in Orleans and got to work alongside him. He was so kind and pleasant and would always rib me for continuing to call him Mr. Stocks even though we were both colleagues by this time. He is someone I’ll always look back on fondly. 

Dick was my dear friend, my mentor and also kind of an older brother. We were two young active musicians who made music together on the local scene for many years as part of four or five rock bands and wedding bands beginning in 1963. Dick was a great guy and an incredibly talented and hard working, dedicated musician always striving for excellence.  You are a permanent part of my life, Old Friend. 

I love you.

So sorry for your loss...keep all your wonderful memories close to your heart 

I remember trying out to sing with his band back in the 60's. They were a great bunch of guys. Dick was a very kind individual and I will always remember the good times we had together. Sharon and family, I am sorry for you loss.

Fran Miele

Dick was my best buddy for years i was best man the wedding Cherie was his wife I will say a prayer for him we use to go to church at Arthur’s drugstore it was sepost to st james 🙏

OBITUARY

Richard William Stocks

August 22, 1944 – November 20, 2019

Nickerson Funeral Home

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