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In Memoriam

Richard E. (Dick) Walker

Richard E. (Dick) Walker, 88, of Merritt Island, Fla., formerly of Cadiz, Ohio, passed away Feb. 28, 2018, at his home in Columbus, Ohio.

Loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he is survived by his wife of 62 years, Grace Cornell (Porter) Walker; his children Cindy (Steve) Karto of Cadiz, Ohio, Lana (Jon) Helmuth of Phoenix, Ariz., Jay (Tina) Walker of New Philadelphia, Ohio, Eric (Kim) Walker of St. Clairsville, Ohio, and Tricia (Scott) Moses of Columbus, Ohio; grandchildren Stacey (Ian) Raeburn, Courtenay (Zachary) Galilei, Zachary (Charlene) Karto, Joshua (Sonia) Walker, Oliva (Paul) Eberly, Alexander (fiancee’ Amber Burton) Walker, Felicia Walker, Drake Walker, Kennady Walker, Maren Mose, Cade Moses, Zane Moses and Quinn Moses; great-grandchildren Quinn and Morgan Delaney Raeburn, Rylee, Hunter, Isabelle and Harper Galilei and Lincoln, Stella and Harvey Jay Eberly; his sister June Young, of Grove City, Ohio; sisters-in-law Audrey Brown of Cadiz, Miriam (Bob) Addy of Scio, and Mary Ann Porter, of Cadiz; along with many nieces and nephews; and a special friend Jim Heckelman, of Norwalk, Ohio, since their days working at the NASA Nuclear Facility in Sandusky, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents Roy and Melva (Mccurdy) Walker; brothers Lee and Fred Walker; and sisters Madelyn Bonar, Faye Kaiser, and Iris Dudo.

Richard is internationally known in the explosives industry. He was a member of the International Society of Explosives Engineers where he received the annual Distinguished Service Award for the year 1997.

Richard was the President of Research Energy of Ohio, Inc., which he founded in 1969. He had several patents including the Sequential Blasting Method. When he was employed in the early 1960s by the NASA Lewis Research Center, Plumbrook Facility in Sandusky, Ohio, he developed the Low Level Water Coolant Indicator which was approved and installed, making it possible to start up the nuclear reactor. As a veteran of the Korean Conflict, during his 4-year enlistment in the U.S. Air Force, he served in the Strategic Air Command. Among his many accomplishments, he was the first Coal Pipeline Preparation Plant operator for Consol Coal Co. The pipeline extended from Cadiz to Cleveland, Ohio. Flying was a favorite pastime starting at the young age of 16. He was also an avid reader and researcher. A celebration of life will be observed at a later date at the convenience of the family. The family is being assisted by Clark-Kirkland Funeral Home, Cadiz, Ohio.

John William King Jr.

John William King Jr., 64, passed away Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017. He was born March 12, 1953.

He is survived by his mother, Mary Hashagen King; and his wife of 30 years, June Ellen King. John is dearly remembered by his brother, Frank (Jocelyn); nephew, Joshua (Jamie); niece, Kelsey (Daniel); cousins; and so many more.

John graduated from Hoggard High School in 1971 and UNC-Chapel Hill in 1975. His career in geology started with the DOT and, eventually, to running his own company, Seismic Imaging Inc., specializing in geophysics and vibration monitoring. He loved his work and hesitated to retire because he wasn’t sure what he would do to fill his time. He quickly filled his days with volunteer work with the North Carolina Coastal Federation, the Audubon Bird Stewards at Wrightsville Beach, the OLLI concert band playing trumpet, HAM radio and hobbies he never had time to enjoy before. When his kidney cancer reappeared last year, we did not expect his death to come so soon. But true to his character, he quietly accepted it and was at peace in his last days.

John lived a wonderful life and touched the lives of so many. He was generous with his love and patience. Kind, humble, and just plain nice are the words everyone uses to describe him.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 18, at Holy Cross Episcopal Church, 5820 Myrtle Grove Road. A private burial for family will be held Thursday, Oct. 19, in Oakdale Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory may be made to the North Carolina Coastal Federation and to Holy Cross Episcopal Church.

Share online condolences with the family at www.andrewsmortuary.com.

John P. O'Brien

John P. (Jack) O’Brien passed away peacefully at home Feb. 13, 2018, of natural causes. John was born Oct. 14, 1944, in Torrington, Conn., to Dorothy (Miller) and Philip J. O’Brien. He attended the Loomis Chaffee High School and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the College of the Holy Cross. He was first in his class at University of Connecticut School of Business with a Master of Business Administration Degree in finance, winning the Wall Street Journal Award.

On June 29, 1968, he married Martha (Marty) McDonough of Bloomfield, Conn., with whom he had two sons, Tim and Brendan. John began his career at the Ensign-Bickford Company in Simsbury, Conn., where he rose to vice president of research and engineering at a very young age. He always loved a challenge and took great pride in the many product lines he developed. During his time there, John built a PETN plant in Graham, Ky.; was the primary technical person for licensing of shock tube technology from Sweden; and assisted the company to a position of industry leader for initiation systems.

With unwavering support from Marty, John left Ensign-Bickford in 1988 to branch out on his own. John created multiple companies, each targeting a different sector of initiation systems. He formed Shock Tube Systems with Steve Bartholomew, which was very successful making shock tube based products for the military. He also formed Detotec North America, and managed to penetrate the extremely demanding oil and gas industry.

John had a strong belief that he could achieve anything he set his mind to, and he has left a lasting legacy that bears this out. As the years passed, John became very focused on local politics, serving for many years on the Board of Finance for Stonington, and as the treasurer for the Stonington Democratic Town Committee. He was appointed by the governor of Connecticut as Harbormaster for the Pawcatuck River, where he and Marty lived. He was an avid rugby player helping to form the Hartford Wanderers, a tennis player and a skier.

Once he became a grandfather, he was a big fan of his five grandchildren’s teams. He loved sailing and boating his entire life, and was very proud of his powerboat the OBie. John loved spending time on Block Island, R.I., and would always enjoy his favorite mudslide at the Oar. John had friends all over the world, and he never met a stranger.
He is survived by his wife of almost 50 years Marty; his son Tim (Abby) and children Teagan, Cade, and Keira from Pawcatuck, Conn.; his son Brendan (Jennifer) and children Owen and Sean from Ledyard, Conn.; and his brother Joe (Eileen) and his children Robert and Melissa from West Hartford.

A wake will be held from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018, at the Mystic Funeral Home located on Route 1 in Mystic. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018, at St. Mary’s Church 95 Main St. in Stonington Borough, followed by burial in Elm Grove Cemetery in Mystic on Route 27.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in John’s honor to the St. Michael Capital Campaign, 60 Liberty Street, Pawcatuck, CT 06379.

Merritt J. McAlinden

Merritt J. McAlinden, 93, died Oct. 26, 2017, at Buckingham Valley Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.

Born in Perth Amboy, N.J., McAlinden was a resident of Hopewell, N.J., and Harvey Cedars, N.J., for over 90 years. He was a veteran of the United States Army and was part of the D-Day allied invasion of occupied France, landing on the Utah Beach sector. He fought through the Battle of the Bulge and throughout the Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe.

McAlinden was a pioneer in the field of commercial explosives applications. He began with the McAlinden Construction Company and later founded the Merritt J. McAlinden Corporation. His expertise ran the gamut of construction, demolition, industrial and marine blasting. He performed these special projects throughout the United States as well as Aruba. His expertise earned him the reputations as an innovator and the man who successfully delivered projects that others wouldn’t even attempt. The passion that he brought to this field for safe and quality work he freely shared in the development of a new generation of safe and effective Blasters. Through his retirement, he continued to follow the industry, engage with former colleagues, and offer advice and assistance to others.

Mr. McAlinden was involved in community services during his lifetime. He served on the Hopewell Borough Council and was a volunteer EMT with the Hopewell Fire and Rescue Department. Upon retiring to Harvey Cedars, N.J., he actively served as a volunteer EMT with the Barnegat Light Rescue Squad. For many years he was an active member of the St. Alphonsus Parish (Hopewell) and at the time of his passing was a member of the St. Francis of Assisi Parish (Long Beach Township, N.J.) and its Men's Cornerstone Group.

He is preceded in death by his parents Merritt and Ethel McAlinden; his wife of 62 years Louise Sommovigo McAlinden; and brother Joseph McAlinden.

Mr. McAlinden is survived by his son, Merritt “Tex” McAlinden and wife Edythe of Hopewell; his daughter Marcella Sosnoskie and husband Tony of Milton, Penn.; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Gerald McAlinden; and two sisters, Evelyn McAlinden and Eleanora Kolbert.

Joseph S. Colicchie

Joe Colicchie was the son of Sara Fino (Sam) and Eleanor Colicchie. Adored husband of 35 years to Mona (Ritson) Colicchie; proud and loving father to Aubrey Bennett and husband, Mark, and Jared Colicchie and wife, Meredith; cherished "Pappy" of his only grandson, Mack Bennett, who was always a source of joy and sunshine; deceased is his sister, Anita Colicchie. He is also survived by his sisters, Bernadette Colicchie and Patricia MacPherson. 

Joe's priority in life was always his family, and he shared his affection freely and unconditionally. He was selfless and lived his life with both passion and purpose. His kind heart and amazing smile will forever be honored and celebrated by those who love him. 

An avid fisherman and archery hunter, Joe loved the outdoors, but left this earth much too soon on July 2, 2017, after a full day of fishing with his lifelong friend. 

Joe was a board of directors member of the Potomac Chapter of the ISEE. He has worked for Swanson Industries; Caterpillar, Inc.; Bucyrus International; and Terex Corporation.

There will be a visitation on Saturday, July 8, 2017, at Thomas-Little Funeral Service, Inc., 314 W. Lincoln Ave., McDonald, PA 15057, from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. A Celebration of Life memorial service will be scheduled for a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, if your heart leads you to it, the family would ask that you donate to your local animal shelter or to Dogs for Vets.