Obituary: Richard “Dick” James Moody Sr., 78, Of Bethel

Information Courtesy Hull Funeral Home

BETHEL, CT — Richard “Dick” James Moody Sr. of Bethel, passed away on Jan. 13, 2022. He was 78 years old and a beloved husband, brother, father, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend.

Dick was born on October 3, 1943, to Don and Grace (Benziger) Moody. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Bill. Dick joined the United States Air Force out of Bethel High School, where he met and married his lifelong sweetheart Betty in 1962.

Dick was the quintessential patriarch of his family and loved spending time with his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was the type of person that would see a stranger walking in the pouring rain and drive them home after giving them the dry shirt off his back. Dick could literally fix anything, working as a master mechanic on jets, and even worked on President John F. Kennedy’s plane. Later he was the owner of EDS Motors. He fought a long battle against heart trouble which started as a young man; his resilience paying off when he finally received a heart transplant in 2006.

A lifelong resident of Bethel, Dick is survived by his wife of 60 years Betty, and his four children: Rich (Kelly) of Newtown, Jackie DeJohn (Rick) of Danbury, Bill (Meagahn) of Newtown and Sandy Gutierrez (Jose) of Bethel. He is also survived by his five siblings: Bob (Martha) of Bethel, Jack of Bethel, Kathy of Danbury, Don (Linda) of Plattsburgh, NY, and Jeanne (David) Jennings, of Fruitland, ID.

Dick was known affectionately as “BopBop” by 9 grandchildren: RJ (Katie), Stephanie, Janet, Kenny, Jose, Jonathan, Olivia, Mason, and Erika. In addition, he was blessed with three great grandchildren: Gracie, Liam, and Elliot.

Visitation will be from 4 – 7 p.m. at the Bethel Funeral Home, 215 Greenwood Avenue, Bethel, CT on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022. A 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022 at Sacred Heart Church, 12 Cottage Street, Danbury. The Rite of Committal will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Bethel.