Richard’s Obituary Richard Groves passed away peacefully on March 2nd, 2019 with family by his side. He was born in in Millinocket, Maine in October of 1926 to Lemuel and Evelyn (Knowles) Groves, and was the youngest of four sons. Raised in East Millinocket, he attended public schools, and graduated from Schenck High School in 1944.
Soon afterwards, he served in the US Navy during World War II. Earning a Bachelor of Science degree at Springfield College in Massachusetts, and a Masters Degree at the University of Missouri, Richard then returned to Maine and became a high school Physical Education teacher. In 1955, Richard and Shirley (Bond) Groves of Calais, Maine were married, and together they raised a daughter and three sons.
Richard and Shirley moved to his hometown of East Millinocket, where he taught Physical Education at Schenck High School in East Millinocket from 1957-1968, during which time, he coached the varsity Boy’s Basketball Team, and taught Biology. The family then moved from Maine to Missouri where he earned his Doctor of Education degree in 1971. The family permanently settled in Newington, Connecticut in September of that year, where Richard served as Professor of Physical Education at Central Connecticut State University, and served as Phys.
Ed. Department Chairman for many years. He retired in 1992, and was honored with the title of Professor Emeritus.
Richard was a happy, and social man, deeply devoted to his family and friends. He was a member of Bethany Covenant Church, where he and Shirley served on several ministries, and they closely followed UCONN Women’s Basketball together. Richard also enjoyed a special relationship with USS Stephen W. Groves (FFG 29), a Navy ship that was named for his brother, a Naval Aviator who was killed in action at the Battle of Midway in 1942.
He enjoyed reunions with fellow former counselors and campers of Camp Easton, a summer youth camp that was located in Sharon, CT where he worked summers in the early 1950s. Friends and family in his hometown of East Millinocket, Maine were close to his heart. Richard loved travelling, and notable were the family vacations which ranged from Texas to Maine and to Prince Edward Island, Canada, station-wagon-style, over several summers.
He liked the simple things in life, such as big family dinners, caring for the family pets, and working on the lawn of the family home. Together, he and Shirley enjoyed their retirement by travelling around the country to visit family, friends, and several National Parks. Richard was predeceased by his parents and three brothers, Laurence, John, and Stephen.
He is survived by his wife Shirley Bond Groves, his daughter, Susan Watt (David), and sons David (Sandra), John (Lori), and Brian. Beloved were his grandchildren: Melanie Mills Karadeniz, Stephen Mills, Jr. Erik Mills, Jessica Groves Tyler, Justin Groves, Jonathan Groves, Andrea Groves, and Nathaniel Groves. His eight great-grandchildren had a special place in his heart, as well as his niece, Mariam Groves Landry, and his nephew, Stephen W. Groves II.
He had great love and appreciation for his in-laws, the Bond Family of Texas and California, with whom he enjoyed many happy family reunions. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Bethany Covenant Church Memorial Fund, 785 Mill St, Berlin, CT 06037 or to the Covenant Village of Cromwell Benevolent Fund, 52 Missionary Rd, Cromwell, CT 06416. A memorial service is planned for Thursday, March 7th at 2 PM at Bethany Covenant Church, 785 Mill St., Berlin.
Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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