Obituary of Richard Israel

Richard “Dick” Israel, 78, husband of Jane Israel, died Oct. 30, 2023 in Bangor. He was born June 25, 1945 in Brooklyn, NY, the son of Walter J. and Eleanor C. (Meagher) Israel. 

Dick grew up in Brooklyn, graduated from Brooklyn Prep High School and served 4 years with the US Navy as a sonarman from 1964 to 1968. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Utah State University and a master’s degree from Southern Illinois University, both degrees in Philosophy. After returning to Brooklyn and marrying Jane, he worked for an engineering firm and spent three months working in Tehran, Iran when that country was still under the rule of the Shah. He then worked as the Deputy Commissioner for Juvenile Justice for the City of New York. The family moved to Maine in early 1981 and Dick worked as the Finance Director for Community Health & Counseling Services, Bangor. Dick was a longtime communicant of St. Paul the Apostle Parish and was active for many years with the St. Teresa’s Folk Group, leading the group on guitar. 

Dick loved wood working and was an amateur carpenter. He built a beautiful secretary for their home, as well as multiple kitchen cabinets. Working with wood in the basement was his happy place. Dick’s second happy place was aboard a Celebrity cruise ship. Together with Jane he cruised over 45 times, visiting such places as Auckland, NZ, St. Petersburg, Russia, Ephesus in Turkey, and Cape Horn in South America. Dick developed lasting friendships with cruise ship crew and cruising friends from around the world. He kept in touch with friends near and far via Facebook, and regularly wished everyone “Happy Birthday” in fifty different languages! He could say basic phrases in dozens of languages, pleasing the varied crew on the cruise ships. 

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jane Israel of Orrington; three children, Rebecca Perry-Smith of Hampden, Matthew Israel and his wife Andrea of Orrington and Clare Thornton of Orrington; five grandchildren, Connor Perry and Lauryn Goodall of Bangor, Taryn Perry of Brewer, Brandon Israel and Anika Nelson of Bangor, Jacob Israel and Maddox Thornton both of Orrington; one brother, Robert Israel and his wife, Jeanette of Breezy Point, NY; many nieces, nephews, in-laws and dear friends. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 AM Monday, Nov. 6, 2023 at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, 70 Western Ave., Hampden. Immediately following the Mass, a celebration of Dick’s life will take place at his favorite restaurant...High Tide in Brewer. All are invited to join in remembering Dick and his caring attitude and crazy sense of humor. Burial will be at a later date.  For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to www.Unbound.org, or at Unbound, 1 Elmwood Ave, Kansas City, KS 66103, an organization supporting needy children and the elderly around the world. Arrangements trusted to Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, Bangor and Brewer. Messages and memories may be shared with his family on the tribute wall of kileyandfoley.com.