Richard Tirrell Orne, of West Boothbay Harbor, died peacefully in his home in the early afternoon of Feb. 16, 2015.

Dick, as he was known to his friends and family, was born in Oceanside Long Island, New York on Feb. 25, 1946, to Charles Jr. and Joan Orne. The family then moved to Bellmore, New York, where Dick spent his childhood.

He graduated from Wellington C. Mepham High School in 1964 then went on to attend the Academy of Aeronautics to learn aircraft mechanics. This was around the time where American forces were ramping up their presence in Vietnam.

Dick made the decision to follow in his father’s footsteps and joined the United States Air Force in 1965. After finishing his basic training in Amarillo, Texas, he found himself assigned to the 7th Maintenance Squadron stationed at Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas. It wasn’t long before Dick joined the 7th Bomb Wing forward deployed at U-Tapao Air Base in Thailand.

Although 10,000 miles from home, Dick maintained steadfast focus, rose through the ranks to staff sergeant, and became crew chief of his very own B-52. Following several years overseas and countless successful missions over the hazardous skies of Vietnam, Dick returned home to his family.

It was March 1970 when Dick decided to transition from the military to the civilian sector. He continued to utilize his technical prowess and became a mechanic for Delta Air Lines in Long Island, New York. Unfortunately, his career with Delta was short-lived only due to an unforeseen reduction in force. Not to be discouraged, Dick seized the opportunity to move his family to Boothbay Harbor, the town where his father was born and raised, and part of the coast he fell in love with the first time he laid eyes on it.

For over 40 years Dick worked in the maritime industry. From an outboard mechanic at Pierce Marine (now Carousel Marina) to president of Boothbay Region Boatyard, he had a very successful and rewarding career. One would think that with decades of being around boats and on the water that the maritime world would be near and dear to his heart; however, those who knew Dick, knew very well that his passion was deep rooted in aviation.

A quick glance around his house and one would see every aviation magazine that’s in print today — some issues years old simply because the cover photo was too good to throw away. Those who were staying in Boothbay from mid-spring to late-fall might have had the privilege of having their roof rattled as Dick practiced touch-and-go’s on West Harbor Pond in his Cessna 208 Caravan.

The cockpit was where Dick was in his element. He loved to fly. When around airplanes, or walking around a general aviation airport, or simply talking about flying, one would instantly see the joy on his face and the bliss in his eyes.

There will be much to miss about Dick: his smile; his fantastic laugh; his kind heart; and his unbound love and affection for family.

Dick is survived by his girlfriend, Andrea Holland; brothers, Charles Orne III and his wife Julie, David Orne and his wife Debbie, Victor Orne and Fred Orne; sister, Annette Orne; sons, David Orne and his wife Amy, Richard Orne and his wife Leslie; grandson Christopher; and three granddaughters, Samantha, Lillian and Madeline.

Friends and relatives are invited to visit with the family on Friday, Feb. 27, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Hall Funeral Home, 975 Wiscasset Road, Boothbay. A church service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 28, at 11 a.m. at the Congregational Church, celebrated by Rev. Dr. Sarah Foulger.

A reception for family and friends will be held at the Opera House in Boothbay Harbor from noon to 2 p.m. following the Church service.

Services are entrusted to Hall’s Funeral Home and Tribute Center, 975 Wiscasset Road, Boothbay.

You are invited to share your condolences with the Orne family by visiting their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.