Richard Coleman

VERNON- Richard “Dickie” Coleman, 78, died peacefully on Monday, April 4, surrounded by his loving family.
Dickie was born on April 3, 1944, to Fred and Ellen Coleman, of Jacksonville. Dickie was the only boy born into a family of six children. He had a wonderful childhood. He grew up loving his five sisters, spending summers in North Adams with his cousins, and enjoying the lake at his sister Ruth’s camp. Drinking Budweiser and crashing cars were his pastimes in his early adult life.
One unforgettable day, Dickie was driving up Jacksonville Hill when a beautiful blond girl, Beverly “Beaver” Bly, of Vernon, caught his eye. It was love at first sight, and the beginning of 53 years of Dick and Beaver. They went on to have two children, Derek and Stephanie.
Dickie was a hard worker and spent 40-plus years working at “The Mill” in all its incarnations- Boise Cascade, Specialty Paper, and finally FiberMark.
He was a “rain man” of sorts when it came to sports. He could remember the dates and times games were played, and scores and stats as if he was an encyclopedia. He had a particular adoration of Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox, Bobby Orr of the Boston Bruins, Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics, and Terry Bradshaw of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Where race car drivers were concerned, Jeff Gordon was always his favorite.
He was loved by many and ran in many circles of friends. He formed friendships that lasted a lifetime with co-workers, hunting buddies, brothers and sisters of the Elks Club, and even stayed in touch with friends he made in school.
He loved camping, especially with family.  One of his family’s fondest memories was two weeks of camping every summer with extended family and friends. Camping with the Colemans was always just a “lil cooler.” Stephanie instilled the same love of camping into her two children, and they were lucky enough to share camping adventures with Dick and Beaver.
Dickie is survived by his loving wife, Beverly Bly Coleman, of Vernon; his son Derek Coleman, also of Vernon; and his daughter, Stephanie Coleman Givens, of Brattleboro; along with his sisters, Bonnie Johnson, of Readsboro, and Linda Reynolds and her husband George, of Whitingham. He also leaves his beloved grandchildren, Keegan and Chloe Givens; and Forrest, Kip, and Gracie Coleman.
He was preceded in death by his parents Fred and Ellen Coleman; his sisters Ruth Cancro, Velma Sprague and Margaret “Peg” Burke; and his grandson, Tyler Coleman.
Dickie didn’t want a big funeral, but a drink and some stories shared with his friends and family. Simply Trickie Dickie and some drinks! The family wishes to invite friends and family who wish to raise a glass to Dickie’s life to join them on Friday, May 6, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm at the Elks Club, located at 75 Putney Road, Brattleboro. No refreshments served.