Richard C. Wessell

Richard C. Wessell, 87, died Thursday, October 20, 2022 following a lengthy illness. He was the beloved husband of Margaret L. (Miller) Wessell, with whom he shared nearly sixty-one years of marriage. Born in Salem on April 16, 1935, he was the son of the late Richard and Bernice (Symonds) Wessell. He was raised and educated in Danvers and was a graduate of Holten High School. He served honorably in the U.S. Navy as a proud submariner on the USS Becuna. Dick began his career in the landscaping business, forming Farmer & Wessell Landscaping with his lifelong friend, Jim Farmer. Volunteering on the Boxford Fire Department grew his interest in a career in fire service, and in 1964 he was appointed to the Danvers Fire Department. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1969 and was made Deputy Fire Chief in 1974, serving in that capacity for nearly a quarter of a century until his retirement in 1997. He loved being a member of the fire department and looked forward to the comradery enjoyed with his fellow firefighters when he returned to Danvers for various functions. In retirement, Dick and his wife moved permanently to their vacation home on Pine River Pond in Wakefield, NH. He loved staying active as a member of the Seven Lake Snowmobile Club and woodworking. A gifted builder, he used his talents to build two family homes, as well as a garage with a workshop. In addition to his wife, he leaves two children, Marcia Wessell of Rowley and Jay Wessell of Danvers, a grandson, Andrew Wessell of Danvers, two sisters-in-law, Jean Aunins of Nova Scotia, Canada and Ann Beatie and her husband Alan of Calgary, Canada, and many nieces and nephews. His Funeral Service will be Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 10AM in C.R. Lyons & Sons Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers Square. Burial will follow in Wadsworth Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited. Visiting hours are Wednesday from 4-7PM in the funeral home. Donations in Dick’s memory may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131. To share an expression of sympathy, please visit www.LyonsFuneral.com.