Richard T. Armstrong, 88, caring husband to his wife, Jayne, for 56 years and a wonderful father to his daughter, Jayne-Marie and son, Richard B., passed away Saturday, Sept. 2, at Geer Village in Canaan, Connecticut.
Born in Great Barrington on Jan. 1, 1929, he was the son of Philip S. and Jessie Barber Armstrong. He and his mother shared the same birthday. He was a graduate of the former Sheffield High School. Dick was a proud member of the U.S. Army 2nd Armored Division stationed in Germany during the Korean War, having been enlisted in January 1951 and honorably discharged in December 1952. He was the former vice president and general manager of Sheffield Plastics for many years. Dick was humble, genuine, generous, down-to-earth and always a gentleman. He was warm and playful with a sense of humor that endeared him to everyone he met. He loved music, the Red Sox, and the New York Giants. He always looked forward to playing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Dick is survived by his son, Richard B. Armstrong, and wife Mary Ann Power Armstrong of Goshen, Connecticut; and his daughter, Jayne-Marie Armstrong, of Old Saybrook, Connecticut. He also leaves his grandchildren Ryan Patrick Power Armstrong, Julie Holub and partner David J. Dobratz, Maria Holub and husband Joseph Girardi; his great-grandsons Luciano and Cesare Girardi and Kryder Dobratz; his sister Phyllis Armstrong of Bloomfield, Connecticut; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Jayne M. Ryan Armstrong, on Jan. 5, 2011. He was also predeceased by his sister Carolyn Mather.
The funeral for Richard T. Armstrong will be held Thursday, Sept. 7, at noon at FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME in Great Barrington. Burial with military honors will follow at Sheffield Center Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday, Sept. 7, from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Donations in memory of Richard may be made to the American Heart Association through FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. To send remembrances to his family please go to www.finnertyandstevens.com.
