Richard \u201cDick\u201d Somerville passed away on May 9, 2026, leaving behind a family who loved him deeply, countless stories, and a legacy built on hard work, humor, stubbornness, and a life fully lived.<\/p>\n
Richard was born in Houlton, Maine, while his father was serving in Europe during World War II. When his father returned, the family moved to Old Orchard Beach and later to Saco, Maine. The family relocated to South Carolina with Saco Lowell Corp, but Richard returned north after a short time to live with his beloved Yiayia, his Greek grandmother, in Old Orchard Beach. He graduated from Old Orchard Beach High School and went on to Maine Maritime Academy, an accomplishment he was especially proud of, following in the footsteps of his uncle Peter Scontras and cousin Robert Somerville.<\/p>\n
Richard served in the Merchant Marines during part of the Vietnam War and later worked aboard cruise ships, manning the engines before marrying his first true love, Patsy, who sadly passed away far too young. After her passing, Richard spent time in Greece to decompress and reconnect with his roots before returning to the United States. He began working at Travelers Insurance Company while pursuing his MBA at Northeastern University.<\/p>\n
In 1979, Richard joined Thermo Electron (Thermo Fisher Scientific NYSE: TMO), where he became Director of Risk Management and made a lasting impact over a 35-year career. He helped establish Thermo Fisher\u2019s captive insurance companies in Bermuda, served on the Board of Directors of Medmarc Insurance Company, and later consulted for Aon before retiring.<\/p>\n
Richard married Betsy Reiss, and together they had two children, Andrew and Rachel. In 1993, he married Vanja, with whom he had two sons, Eirik and Adrian. He spent many years raising his family in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and later enjoyed his retirement years in Saco, Maine.<\/p>\n
Richard was hardworking, stubborn, funny, and never too polished to swear about the small things. He was proud to say he started working at 14, shoveling asphalt back in the days when you could be hired for your work ethic before anyone worried too much about your age. And whenever he was washing dishes, he would always bring up his time washing dishes at the Lobster Pound in Old Orchard Beach. He was the kind of person you wanted nearby when something difficult was happening: dependable, steady, able to find something funny in almost any situation, and unlikely to take things too seriously.<\/p>\n
A true Greek at heart, Richard loved Greek music and embraced the moment to dance to Zorba The Greek whenever it was played. He enjoyed a variety of music but especially classical and classical concerts. He played in racquetball tournaments in his 40s, always golfing, fishing, poker, a good meal, traveling and spending time in Maine. In recent years, he volunteered at St. Demetrios Greek Festival in Saco and the Greek Bazaar, where he especially had fun helping the women who were baking in the church kitchen.<\/p>\n
Richard\u2019s later years were changed after a bad fall on ice, which caused a head injury and brain damage that brought on fast-progressing dementia. Even through that difficult chapter, the qualities that made him Richard – his humor, grit, love of family, and Greek spirit – remained part of how he was known and loved.<\/p>\n
Richard was predeceased by his first wife, Patricia (Ladakakos) Somerville, and by his parents, Theresa (Scontras) Sudol and Cyril Somerville. He is survived by his wife, Vanja; his children, Andrew and Sarah Somerville of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Rachel Somerville and Alejandro Graciano of Saco, Maine, Eirik and Bianca Somerville of Wellesley, Massachusetts, and Adrian Somerville of Wellesley, Massachusetts; four grandchildren; his brothers, Dennis Somerville and his wife Kathy of Central, South Carolina, and Davy Somerville and his wife Sudy of Knoxville, Tennessee; his Aunt Becky Scouras of Portsmouth, NH; and a niece, many nephews, cousins, extended family members, and friends.<\/p>\n
Richard will be remembered for his work ethic, his loyalty, his humor, his Greek pride, his love of family, and his ability to bring laughter and perspective into nearly any room. He lived with grit, gave people stories worth repeating, and left behind a family who will carry his spirit forward.<\/p>\n
Visitation will be from 10:00AM \u2013 11:00AM, with a Funeral Service at 11:00AM on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Saco. Burial will follow at St. Demetrios Cemetery in Biddeford. To view Richard\u2019s memorial page or leave an online condolence, please visit www.cotefuneralhome.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"