Richard Waterman

Richard T. "Dick" Waterman, 89, of Cape Girardeau and formerly of Canton, Mass., passed away Monday, Dec. 10, 2012, at Chateau Girardeau after a brief illness.

He was born April 7, 1923, in Pawtucket, R.I., one of seven children born to Russell T. and Florence Waterman.

Dick was a 1941 graduate of Pawtucket High School and earned an associate degree in business administration from Bryant College in Providence, R.I., in 1966.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy Dec. 10, 1942, and was commissioned after pilot training Nov. 14, 1944. He flew PBM seaplanes in the Pacific, serving with Patrol Bombing Squadrons 98, 100 and 22. He was honorably discharged Jan. 4, 1946.

Dick was a telephone man, working 42 years with the former New England Telephone and Telegraph, mainly as an engineer. It was there that he met the love of his life, Eleanor Marie Grant of Lakewood, R.I., who was working as an operator. They were married Oct. 18, 1947, at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church in Warwick, R.I. They resided in Warwick, and then spent 41 years in Canton, Mass., before moving to Cape Girardeau in 2005. They attend St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.

Loving survivors include his wife of 65 years, Eleanor of Cape Girardeau; three children, David of Centerville, Mass., Margaret and her husband Steven Hoffman of Cape Girardeau and Grant and his wife Shari of Raynham, Mass.; three grandchildren, Russell Hoffman of Cape Girardeau, Alexander and Nicholas Waterman of Raynham; two sisters, Edith MacKendrick and her husband Harlan of Washington, N.C., and Marjorie Klebes of West Dennis, Mass.; and many nephews and nieces.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Carol Despres; a brother, Harold Waterman; and two infant siblings.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Cape Girardeau, with the Rev. Bobby Manso officiating. Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery in Pawtucket.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to St. Vincent de Paul Church.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.