Richard’s Obituary Richard E. Forkey, 78 Beloved Husband, Father and Grandfather Westminster-Richard E. Forkey, 78, of Westminster, passed away peacefully on February 1, 2019, after a long illness. Richard was born in Springfield, MA on May 4, 1940, a son of the late David and Eleanor (Legros) Forkey. He leaves his beloved wife of 45 years, Shelby (Webb) Forkey and their children, Joseph Forkey and his wife Heather of Princeton, MA, AnnMarie (Forkey) Koivu and her husband Richard of Townsend, Curtis Womble of Lunenburg, Renee Womble and her husband John Hargraves of Westminster, David Womble and his companion Sarah Peaslee of Westminster; many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews and a special sister-in-law, Aleksandra Forkey of South Hadley, MA, who was like a sister to him.
Richard was predeceased by his two brothers, Raymond and Eugene Forkey. Richard graduated from Cathedral High School in Springfield, MA in 1958. He attended college at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and the University of Rochester, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from the Institute of Optics in 1963.
Richard spent much of his early career at ITEK Corporation in Lexington, MA where his work encompassed many noteworthy and important contributions to the science and technology of high-resolution, space-based cameras and infrared imaging. As a national expert in these areas he taught both nationally and internationally. Among his accomplishments at ITEK were special contributions to many camera systems that were flown on NASA missions, some to the moon and Mars, as well as national security projects, including the Corona and Hexagon programs.
The significance of these technically advanced camera systems are now recognized in exhibits at the Smithsonian National Air and Space museum and the National Museum of the US Air Force. In 1982, Richard left ITEK as Director of Optics and founded Precision Optics Corporation (POC), now of Gardner, MA. During his thirty-year tenure as CEO, POC became a national leader in optics used for medical device, telecommunication and defense applications and received numerous awards for technical and business achievements, most notably being selected in 1991 as Small Business of the Year for the Northeast – a highly competitive national award granted annually by the US Small Business Association in Washington DC.
Richard was an avid reader, enjoyed fly fishing, bicycling, woodworking and classical music, as well as travelling with his wife, Shelby, in pursuit of these hobbies. His greatest joy was spending time with his family. He will be sadly missed by those who knew him.
Richards funeral will be held on Thursday, February 7 from the Westminster Chapel of the Sawyer-Miller-Masciarelli Funeral Home , 123 Main St., Westminster, with a Mass at 11 am in Prince of Peace Parish, 1 Worcester Rd, Princeton, MA. Burial will follow in Woodside Cemetery, Narrows Rd. , Westminster.
Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, February 6, 2019 from 4-7 pm in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 220 North Main St. #104, Natick, MA 01760, the Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverly Oaks Rd. Waltham, MA 02452 or can be left at the funeral home.
For more information please visit www. masciarellifamilyfuneralhomes.net. John F. Masciarelli, Walter C. Taylor and James M. Hebert, funeral directors.
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