Richard E. Onofrey, Sr.

WESTFIELD – Richard E. Onofrey, Sr. 80, of Westfield died at home on Monday, February 18, 2013. Retiring in 1997, he was both an owner and employee of a Springfield insurance agency. Dick was born in Westfield and lived there all his life attending St. Mary’s High School where he was the Class of 1950’s Valedictorian. As a member of the great Class of 1955 of the College of the Holy Cross, he graduated Cum Laude.
His service to his alma mater took many shapes. From membership on the council of the President of the College of the Holy Cross to director and president of the Holy Cross Alumni Club of the Pioneer Valley to chairman of the Alumni Continuing Education Committee to his service with the Alumni Association as executive committee member, director, and president, Dick exemplified the college’s dedication to the intellectual life and service of faith of its alumni and the larger community. In recognition, the college awarded him the “In Hoc Signo” award.

Dick served his country as a United States Marine rising to the rank of captain in the reserves, serving in the First Rifle Company of Springfield. His active duty included participating as a atomic, biological, and chemical officer in Nevada during atomic bomb testing along with participating in NATO exercises in the Mediterranean during the crisis in Lebanon. His service with the 6th fleet included being Junior Officer of the Deck on the USS Spiegel Grove, officer in charge of shore patrol units in Spain, Greece, Italy, Malta, and Turkey, and as officer on the USS Macon.

Dick’s career spanned decades as a Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant. Along with membership in the Springfield Life Underwriters, he was a Life Member of the Million Dollar Round Table and served as both director and president of the Pioneer chapter of CLU/ChFC. He served his community as a board member and past board Chairman of Brightside in West Springfield where he founded the Brightside Club. Membership at the Valley Athletic Club of the Springfield YMCA, where he played racquetball, led to his service as a Board member and to chairmanship of the Y’s Endowment Development and Investment Committee as well as its Heritage Club. As a dedicated communicant of St. Peter and St. Casimir’s Parish, Dick served as member and as president of the Parish Advisory Council. He was an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist for the Diocese of Springfield and an advisor to the Roman Catholic Diocese Foundation. He served as President of the Passionist Retreat League in West Springfield and as a member of the Committee for the Civil Rights of Unborn Children. He was the 2003 chairman of the Mother’s Day Dinner sponsored by the Pioneer Valley Massachusetts Citizens for Life. He was a member of the Diocesan Cursillo Movement where he was a team member and rector.The Knight’s of Columbus knew Dick as a 4th degree member of the Archbishop William Assembly and the Whip City Council #100. He was a Knight Commander with star in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Dick was a member of the Dan Kane Singers.

Dick leaves his beloved wife, Ellen Marie (Kane) Onofrey; his son, Richard Jr. and wife Christine, and their children Hannah, Jacob, Justin and Alexander; his son, Michael and his daughter Michaela; his son, Thomas and wife Susan, their children Dylan and Ryan; and his daughter, Teresa and her husband Kregg, and their children Evan, Andrew, Zachary and Joseph.

The funeral for Dick will be held on Saturday, February 23rd at 9:00 a.m. from the Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad Street, Westfield, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in St. Peter’s Church, 22 State Street, Westfield. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Friday at the funeral home from 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter and St. Casimir Parish, 22 State Street, Westfield; the Springfield YMCA, Chestnut Street, Springfield; or to the College of the Holy Cross, 1 College Street, Worcester.

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