In Memoriam: Richard F. Mooney, 1932-2023
Mr. Mooney was the former owner of Sterling Insurance Agency
Peabody – Richard F. (Dick) Mooney passed away peacefully after a short illness on October 6, 2023 at Brooksby Village in Peabody. He was born in the Rag Rock section of Woburn, Massachusetts where the sun always shines. He was the loving husband of Marion (MacKay) Mooney. He was the son of Henry J. and Mary E. (Connolly) Mooney, of Woburn, Massachusetts.
Dick graduated from Christopher Columbus High School in the North End of Boston and from Boston University. He served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1956. He met his future wife Marion of Salem, MA at Hampton Beach, NH, they married in 1961 and settled in Beverly where they lived in the same home on Baker Avenue for 59 years.
Dick worked in the property and casualty insurance business his entire career beginning with the Hartford Insurance Co. He was named Executive Vice President of Sterling Insurance Agency in 1974 and took over ownership in 1983. Dick took the company to new heights during his 40-year tenure before retiring in 2014.
He was very active in the Beverly community. He served as President of the Beverly Kiwanis Club, the North Shore United Way, the Hannah School PTA, and the BHS Band Parents Association. Dick also served on a number of other community boards including the Beverly Chamber of Commerce, the Beverly YMCA, the Fisher & Fuel Society, and the Beverly Historical Society. He was also honored by the Beverly Rotary Club as a Paul Harris Fellow for his years of community service and was honored as the Grand Marshal of Beverly’s Holiday Parade. Recently, Dick was honored by the Kiwanis Club for 47 years of service.
In their retirement, Dick and Marion enjoyed spending time with their children and especially their grandchildren. Dick became an amateur painter, and his artwork has been enjoyed by many. They also enjoyed traveling to Europe, the Caribbean, Disney World and Texas and particularly to Ireland where they made lifelong friends in County Cork.
Dick was known for his deep faith, his love of his wife and family and his warm sense of humor. He made his wife Marion laugh every day.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years Marion Mooney of Peabody, formerly of Beverly; his son, Richard F. Mooney, Jr. and wife JoAnna Mooney of Beverly, their three children Christopher Mooney and his fiancé Brianna Sullivan of Beverly, Connor Mooney and his wife, Kelly Mooney of Salem and Juliana Mooney and her partner Matt Putur of Boston; his daughter Elizabeth Mooney Cahill and her husband Edward Cahill of Beverly and their son Liam Cahill of Boston; and his daughter Christine Mooney and her partner, Kurt Martin of Merrimack, NH and her children Kayley DeGrappo and her friend, Joseph Kerby of Charlotte, NC and Griffin DeGrappo of Merrimack, NH; and his two cats, Leo and Mickey.
His survivors also include his brother, Henry J. Mooney of Florida, his sister Patricia A. Parks and her husband, Steve Parks of Hyannis, his brother-in-law Victor W. Dahar, of Manchester, NH, his brother-in-law, Norman LeFebvre of Burlington and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his sisters, Eleanor Dahar of Manchester, NH and Mary Kelley LeFebvre of Burlington, his sister-in-law, Dot Mooney of Florida, his brother-in-law, Harold “Pal” Kelley of Burlington and his brother-in-law, Willis MacKay of Beverly.
The family would like to thank his caregivers at Brooksby Continuing Care and Care Dimensions for their kindness and wonderful care.
Condolences can be left online at www.campbellfuneral.com.
