Obituary of Richard L. "Richie" Bakula

Richard L. “Richie” Bakula, 75, Peabody Police Patrolman, Ret., husband of Priscilla L. (Kearney) Bakula, passed away at his home on Tuesday, March 29, 2016 with his family at his side. Richie was born in Salem, on September 8, 1940, son the late Louis C. and Marcia C. (Ogilba) Bakula. He was raised in Peabody and graduated from Peabody High School in 1958. On August 14, 1958, he enlisted into the U.S. Army and served with the rank of SP 4 prior to being honorably discharged on February 5, 1962. On September 1, 1964, Richie was appointed to the Peabody Police Department as a Patrolman and remained with the department for 32 years until his retirement on October 1, 1996. During this time, he also worked at New England Sportswear, and then following his retirement he was employed as a security guard at Eastman Gelatine in Peabody. Richie enjoyed hunting, fishing, doing crossword puzzles, connecting with his friends and cancer survivors on FB, and will also be well remembered as a prankster by his family and friends. His family would also like to extend a special thank you to the hospice staff at Care Dimensions for the unending support and professionalism during his illness. In addition to his wife Priscilla with whom he shared 38 years of marriage, he is survived by his children and their spouses, Barbara (Searles) Weadick and Robert Weadick of No. Reading, Jennifer (Bowers) Gaalaas and Peter Gaalaas of CA, Deborah and Jon Lipsky of ME; his grandchildren, Spencer Gaalaas, Whitney (Gaalaas) Carpenter and her husband Kody, 2 great grandchildren, Hayden and Wyatt Carpenter; his siblings, Thomas Bakula of Salem, and Carole Bakula of ME; a nephew, Peter Bakula, several cousins, numerous former Peabody Police Officers and close friends. Richie’s family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, April 1, 2016 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody. His Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, April 2nd at 11 a.m. in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requested that donations be made in Richie’s name to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923. A family committal of ashes will be held at a later time. Please visit www.ccbfuneral.com for directions, online obituary and memorial guest book.