Obituary of Richard E. Fehr

At exactly 0920hrs on the twelfth day of May in the year of our Lord 2018, Richard E. Fehr passed away near his Florida home. Rick, as he was known to his friends and family was born in the Bronx on November 15, 1947 to William and Evelyn (MeKeel) Fehr. He had a total of four siblings, his older brother the late Bill Fehr, and his younger siblings, Patty Barbo, Gerry Fehr, and the late Virginia (Fehr) Leffler. They grew up together in an apartment on University Ave., in the Fordham Road section of the Bronx.  In 1966, Rick enlisted and served Honorably in the U.S. Army both stateside and in Vietnam. Once his active duty ended he married his high school sweetheart, the late Jane Anne (Thompson) Fehr, and they moved into their own apartment on West 195th Street, where they brought home their new son Bill. A year later, he moved his growing family to Brooklyn, Connecticut where he and Jane lived for nearly 40 years.  Rick worked as a lineman for Southern New England Telephone for several years during some seriously harsh weather conditions in both the summer and winter, before he finished his college degree at night, and became a “life-force” of management in the telecommunications industry. While raising his family in rural northeastern Connecticut he was an active member of the community as a volunteer firefighter and member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. An accomplished athlete in, as he put it, "any sport with a ball", he shared his passion of the game with the local youth through coaching and officiating, and perhaps his favorite activity: watching his children and grandchildren play.  With several other brilliant men Rick helped start the Killingly-Brooklyn Micro-Midget Football league and he coached the start-up Vikings for several years. Rick also volunteered his lineman and splicing skills to help build the original lighting infrastructure at Killingly High School's football field almost four decades ago. It should also be noted that Rick spent many seasons working in his favorite sport as a certified Little League and American Legion baseball umpire. His Strike call was loud and unique, duly fitting his larger than life persona. Of course the list goes on towards infinity with the positive things he did for his family, friends, and the community he in which he dwelled. His hard work and dedication to taking care of his family could never be quantified here, but it will be remembered forever by those who spent any time with him, especially his children and friends.  During his short retirement, Rick continued to enjoy woodworking and following his beloved New York Yankees with a dedication only comparable to his late wife, Jane's.  Always a lover of the outdoors and being active, he also developed a new passion for exploring the biking trails and kayaking waters of Florida.

Rick leaves behind his brother Gerry, sister Patty, son Bill Fehr and his wife Lissa, daughter Betsy Hensley and her husband Joel, three grandchildren: Karsen Fehr, and Ethan and Maya Hensley, along with several nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be May 26, 2018 at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of LaSalete Church, 25 Providence Road, Brooklyn, CT. Burial with military honors to follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Wauregan, CT. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Rick's name to your local Little League or Veteran's Association. Share a memory at www.gagnonandcostellofh.com