Obituary for Richard William Ilvonen
OWLS HEAD – Richard W. Ilvonen, 92, died peacefully on Thursday, August 1, 2019, surrounded by his loving family at the Sussman House in Rockport. Richard, known to all as Dick, was a faithful son, husband, father, and friend.
Born in Owls Head, October 2, 1926, he was the son of Uno J. and Hilma Hill Ilvonen. Dick attended elementary school in Owls Head Schools. He attended Lee Academy for one year before graduating from Rockland High School. While still attending high school, Dick drove a bus picking up other students in Owls Head, taking them to school, and then driving them and himself home in the afternoon.
Following high school Mr. Ilvonen scallop fished for two years out of New Bedford, MA. He was also employed for one summer with a carnival in 1948. From 1950 to 1954 he went commercial fishing out of Rockland. A hard worker his entire life, he was never one to be idle. He was involved in the construction of the Maine Turnpike in Litchfield during its early years. Later in life, he started his own businesses for both propane distribution and welding.
In 1952 Dick married the love of his life, Margaret ‘Peggy’ Packard. At that time, Peggy had a three year old son, Charles, who Richard loved as his own. While raising Charles, Peggy and Dick welcomed three more children into their family, Uno, Shelby and Tracy.
In 1960 Dick began the construction of a family cottage on Donnell Pond in Franklin. Together with his family, he enjoyed more than 58 wonderful years at the special place. Entertaining friends and hosting family gatherings were some of his favorite pastimes. An avid hunter and fisherman, he was also an outstanding cook, who was especially well known for his famous ‘salmon dinners.’
Following the passing of his wife in 1995, Richard enjoyed the companionship of Ms. Benadicta ‘Bena’ Andrews for the past 18 years. Mr. Ilvonen had a sharp, keen mind and was always an engineer at heart. He could often be found working in his shop, designing and constructing with iron. He loved socializing, meeting with friends and sharing stories.
Mr. Ilvonen was a life-long member of the Rockland Lodge of Elks and was most recently recognized as one of that organization’s most senior members. He was a life-long member of the Owls Head Fire Department and a member of the Masons.
He will be deeply missed by all who loved him.
Predeceased by his wife, Peggy; his sister Barbara Linquist; a brother Carl Ilvonen and his wife Elsie; his daughter Shelby L. Pare; and his son Uno and his wife Darla; Mr. Ilvonen is survived by his son Charles F. Knight and his wife Cathy of Birmingham, AL; his daughter Tracy Richardson and her husband Kevin of Camden; a son-in-law Roger Pare of Owls Head; his grandchildren, Chris Knight and his wife Julie of Brooklyn, NY, Casey Knight Bass and her husband Patrick of Birmingham, AL, Uno ‘Jake’ Ilvonen and his companion Melanie, Teel Ilvonen, Kalli Ilvonen all of Owls Head, Wyatt Berry of Camden; his great-grandchildren, Connor Bass, Eleanor Knight, Taavi Ilvonen, Beatrice Knight, Hannah Joy Bass, Kaarina Ilvonen; his siblings, Mary Orne of Rockland, Kenneth Ilvonen and his wife Kathy of Owls Head; Elsa MacFarland of Dallas, TX; as well as many nieces, nephews,great-nieces and great-nephews, and too many friends to count.
Family and friends are invited to visit from 10:00 to 11:00 a. m., Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland where a funeral service will be held immediately following at 11:00 a m., Reverend Richard Catalano will officiate.
Interment will follow at Ocean View Cemetery, Spruce Head.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital 516 Carew St, Springfield, MA 01104.
Born in Owls Head, October 2, 1926, he was the son of Uno J. and Hilma Hill Ilvonen. Dick attended elementary school in Owls Head Schools. He attended Lee Academy for one year before graduating from Rockland High School. While still attending high school, Dick drove a bus picking up other students in Owls Head, taking them to school, and then driving them and himself home in the afternoon.
Following high school Mr. Ilvonen scallop fished for two years out of New Bedford, MA. He was also employed for one summer with a carnival in 1948. From 1950 to 1954 he went commercial fishing out of Rockland. A hard worker his entire life, he was never one to be idle. He was involved in the construction of the Maine Turnpike in Litchfield during its early years. Later in life, he started his own businesses for both propane distribution and welding.
In 1952 Dick married the love of his life, Margaret ‘Peggy’ Packard. At that time, Peggy had a three year old son, Charles, who Richard loved as his own. While raising Charles, Peggy and Dick welcomed three more children into their family, Uno, Shelby and Tracy.
In 1960 Dick began the construction of a family cottage on Donnell Pond in Franklin. Together with his family, he enjoyed more than 58 wonderful years at the special place. Entertaining friends and hosting family gatherings were some of his favorite pastimes. An avid hunter and fisherman, he was also an outstanding cook, who was especially well known for his famous ‘salmon dinners.’
Following the passing of his wife in 1995, Richard enjoyed the companionship of Ms. Benadicta ‘Bena’ Andrews for the past 18 years. Mr. Ilvonen had a sharp, keen mind and was always an engineer at heart. He could often be found working in his shop, designing and constructing with iron. He loved socializing, meeting with friends and sharing stories.
Mr. Ilvonen was a life-long member of the Rockland Lodge of Elks and was most recently recognized as one of that organization’s most senior members. He was a life-long member of the Owls Head Fire Department and a member of the Masons.
He will be deeply missed by all who loved him.
Predeceased by his wife, Peggy; his sister Barbara Linquist; a brother Carl Ilvonen and his wife Elsie; his daughter Shelby L. Pare; and his son Uno and his wife Darla; Mr. Ilvonen is survived by his son Charles F. Knight and his wife Cathy of Birmingham, AL; his daughter Tracy Richardson and her husband Kevin of Camden; a son-in-law Roger Pare of Owls Head; his grandchildren, Chris Knight and his wife Julie of Brooklyn, NY, Casey Knight Bass and her husband Patrick of Birmingham, AL, Uno ‘Jake’ Ilvonen and his companion Melanie, Teel Ilvonen, Kalli Ilvonen all of Owls Head, Wyatt Berry of Camden; his great-grandchildren, Connor Bass, Eleanor Knight, Taavi Ilvonen, Beatrice Knight, Hannah Joy Bass, Kaarina Ilvonen; his siblings, Mary Orne of Rockland, Kenneth Ilvonen and his wife Kathy of Owls Head; Elsa MacFarland of Dallas, TX; as well as many nieces, nephews,great-nieces and great-nephews, and too many friends to count.
Family and friends are invited to visit from 10:00 to 11:00 a. m., Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland where a funeral service will be held immediately following at 11:00 a m., Reverend Richard Catalano will officiate.
Interment will follow at Ocean View Cemetery, Spruce Head.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital 516 Carew St, Springfield, MA 01104.