INDIANAPOLIS
Calvin Richard “Dick” Pelley, aged 93, passed away on February 16, 2021, in Sarasota, Florida, at his home.
Dick was born in Brewer, Maine, on November 16, 1927, to Doris and Edward Pelley. Dick’s siblings Dorice, Colleen, Edward, Norman, and Danny, all preceded him in death.
Dick was fond of saying the Great Depression came and went in Maine, and we never even noticed because we were always poor. One winter his whole family slept in his Grandpa Moore’s uninsulated attic. These hardships did not affect Dick’s great love of his home state.
After attending grammar schools in Hancock, Orrington, and Ellsworth, the family moved to Yarmouth, Maine. Dick was elected President of student council, Captain of the Baseball team, the first of a lifetime of leadership roles.
In 1946, Dick entered Maine Maritime Academy, in Castine. He graduated with a degree in Marine engineering in 1949. Then Dick joined the United States Navy as an Ensign. Dick loved his time spent in the Navy, where he worked in the engine room of the USS Coral Sea and USS Perry during the Korean conflict. Dick was promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade and was sent to Philadelphia to attend damage control school. Here he met and married Martha Halder, who had a son, Rev. Dr. John Oliver Lewis, Jr (wife, Angel). Dick and Martha had 4 daughters, Mary, Catherine (Michael) Carrico, Deborah, and Doris (Tom) Lang.
After leaving the Navy, Dick attended Purdue University extension, where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Dick specialized in power engineering and was highly respected in the coal industry. He worked for 14 years at Peabody Coal Company and then for AMAX Coal Company for 23 years. He was a founding member of the Indiana chapter of the National Association of Power Engineers. After a long courtship, Dick married Mary Ann Strack in 1986.
Dick was a man of enduring faith in God, and he was active in all the churches he attended. During his retirement, Dick and Mary Ann enjoyed eating out and visiting the beach. Dick loved to golf, but especially to entertain his family and other visitors.
Dick is survived by his wife; 5 children; 10 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren. Dick and Mary Ann remained married until his passing in peace while in hospice care at their home.
Memorial services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 21, 2021 at G. H. Herrmann Madison Avenue Funeral Home, 5141 Madison Avenue, with visitation from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Dick will be laid to rest at Washington Park East Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Maine Maritime Academy, 1 Pleasant Street, Castine, ME 04420
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