Obituary of Rodney L. Dickinson

Rodney L. Dickinson PEABODY—Rodney L. Dickinson, 69, beloved husband of Mary (Silva) Dickinson of Peabody, died peacefully at the North Shore Medical Center—Salem Hospital, while in the comforting presence of his family. Born in Gardener, ME, he was the son of the late Leo and Marjorie (Bradford) Dickinson. He grew up in the Calais, ME area through high school, and then enlisted in the U.S. Army. As he was stationed in Topsfield, he met his wife and began his dedicated partnership and settled with his family in Peabody for the last 52 years. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War. Mr. Dickinson created the molds in the foundry at the United Shoe Manufacturing in Beverly for 25 years. He continued with the subsequent owner of the business with Dynapert. He later worked with Auto Roll Machine in Middleton before retiring from Varian in Gloucester. Rod enjoyed travel with his wife. Whether on a cruise ship to the Caribbean, Spring Training in Fort Myers, FL or going to catch the Red Sox in Baltimore, he would enjoy watching his favorite team as part of Red Sox Nation. He kept fit by riding his bicycle around the North Shore, and especially enjoyed the variety of bike trails. He was always tinkering with things around his home, or helping any of his family with projects around the house. He enjoyed doing woodworking. He is survived by his wife Mary (Silva) Dickinson of Peabody, with whom he shared 49 years of marriage; two sons, Jim Dickinson of Peabody and Richard Dickinson of VT; two daughters, Diana Dickinson-Donovan & her husband Shawn Donovan and Tricia & her husband Earl Gagnon all of Peabody; seven grandchildren, Jim Gallagher, Kevin Gallagher, Jack Donovan, Mike Dickinson, Robert Dickinson, Rachel Gagnon and Ryan Gagnon; a brother Ken Dickinson of NY; three sisters, Susan McCray of Baileyville, ME, Peggy Cook of Long Beach, CA, and Lori Garlin & her husband George Falkowski of Middleton; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death, besides his parents, by a daughter-in-law, Melissa (Towers) Dickinson. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to gather for his Funeral Service on Tuesday March 26, 2013 at 11 AM in the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody. A visitation will be held on Monday from 4:30 – 7:30 P.M. in the funeral home. Cremation will follow the ceremony. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the MGH-North Shore Cancer Center, 102 Endicott St., Danvers, MA 01923.