Sykes, A. Dixon, known as Dick, died peacefully on Friday, March 16, 2018 in Needham MA at the age of 94.
Born on December 20, 1923 in Newark NJ, to Julie and Alfred Sykes, Dick had one sister, the late Mabel Sykes Cadmus. In 1944 he married his childhood sweetheart, the late Drusilla (Dickie) Grace Dickerson Sykes. He is survived by his four children: Kathy Anne Whittemore of Tucson AZ; Robert Dixon Sykes and spouse Diane of Mashpee MA; Peter Donald Sykes and spouse Cindy of Wellesley MA; and Stephen Lawrence Sykes and spouse Pedro of Wellesley MA. In addition, Dick is survived by 9 grandchildren: Elizabeth (Lisa) Whittemore, David Whittemore and spouse Shannon, Jennifer Sykes Hoffman and spouse Doug, Stephanie Sykes Hayes and spouse Brock, David Sykes and fiancée Melissa Cotignola, Kathryn Sykes Smith and spouse Donny, James Sykes and spouse Christina, Melinda Sykes, Richard Sykes and fiancée Kate Feeser; and 8 great-grandchildren: Milo Whittemore Shumpert; Alexander Hoffman; Maddie, D and Tru Smith; Lily, Dixon and Jaxon Sykes.
Dick was a veteran of World War II, serving as an Air Force captain flying B-17s in Europe. Upon returning from the war, he and his wife Dickie lived in Newark NJ for 2 years, followed by 4 years in Portland ME. In 1952 Dick and Dickie moved to Wellesley MA where they lived for 40 years, followed by 22 years in Wayland MA. In 2014 Dick moved to the Wingate Residences in Needham MA.
After working many years with the St. Paul Insurance Company, in 1964, with his friend and golfing colleague the late Lawrence Fessenden of Winchester MA, Dick formed the full-service property and casualty insurance agency, Fessenden & Sykes in Lexington MA, which he has continued to own with his son Peter.
Dick was a life-long champion golfer, winning the Northern NJ State Junior Championship at the age of 14. He joined the Weston Golf Club in 1952, belonging there for sixty-six years. Dick is a Past President of the MA Golf Association and volunteered his time and energy for many years to the MGA as well as to the Rules Committee for the USGA and their U.S. Open and other National Championships. Known affectionately as “Grumpa,” his love and passion for the game of golf has been passed on to all his children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held at the Weston Golf Club on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at noon. In lieu of flowers friends are encouraged to make a donation in Dick’s memory to the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund, 300 Arnold Palmer Drive, Norton MA 02766 or online at http://www.ouimet.org/donate/