ROCKLAND - Richard E. Ames, 74, died peacefully on Sept. 20, 2016, at Sussman House in Rockport. Born in Rockland on Nov. 27,1941, he was the first child of Martha Doris Cassidy and Dennis Everett Ames.

Richard would often be seen as a teenager riding around Rockland delivering milk to the locals with Homer Gilbert.

When Richard was 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and attended boot camp in Fort Dix, N.J. He spent the next 20 years in the Armed Forces, including two tours in Vietnam in 1969 and again in 1970. Richard's sacrifice and determination served him well in the Army, and he was awarded many honors; three Purple Hearts, two Bronze Star Medals, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with palm and many more. Richard retired as a staff sergeant in 1984.

After his service in the military, Richard took a job at the local shrimp factory, from which he eventually retired. He remained active in his later years, and in particular fell in love with the Internet. He could always be found checking his Facebook page or playing games, especially Sudoku. He also enjoyed sports, and loved the New York Giants and the Yankees.

He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.

Richard was predeceased by his wife, Sandra Wadsworth Ames; and a sister, Judith Booth of Camden; as well as his parents.

He is survived by his daughters, Racheal Sprayberry of Knoxville, Tenn., and Doris Ames-Ulmer of Rockland; a son, Richard Wadsworth, of Waldoboro; a stepdaughter, Teresa Parker of Union; his sisters, Patricia Poland and Paula Watson, both of Rockland; a brother, Wayne Ames; six grandchildren, Kaitlyn Fernandez, Cassandra Wadsworth, Hannah Rose Ames Ulmer, Julie Ann Sprayberry, Sky Ames Sprayberry and Wyatt Everett Ames Ulmer; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to visit Thursday, Sept. 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland, where a celebration of his life, with military honors, will be held Friday, Sept. 23, at 11 a.m. Deacon Frank Semancik will officiate. Interment will be held at a later date at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Mt. Vernon Road in Augusta.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Maine Homeless Veterans Alliance, P.O. Box 1895, Portland, ME 04104.