DARTMOUTH — Richard "Dick" Davenport, 76, of South Dartmouth, died peacefully at his home on Saturday, Nov. 10, after a lengthy illness, with his wife and family at his side. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Shirley Veale Davenport, and was the son of the late Henry and Florence Brenneke Davenport.
A native of New Bedford, he was a graduate of New Bedford High School, where he played soccer and earned all-State honors. He continued his soccer career at Springfield College, graduating with a degree in education. Dick was the waterfront director at Camp Clark in Sandwich, which was affiliated with the New Bedford YMCA. He later joined the Air Force as an air traffic controller, and, achieved the rank of captain before leaving the service.
He was well known in the food retailing business in southeastern Massachusetts. Dick was the sales manager, and later, Vice President of sales at Brenneke's Pies before the company was sold in 1971 to Table Talk Pies. He later opened Davenport Distributing in 1973, and became Cain's Potato Chips' second largest distributor in New England. In 1981, he joined Charles Chips as a distributor, and built the business to the eighth largest in the country, while serving on the Board of Directors of the Charles Chips Dealers Association.
Dick continued his sports associations by officiating high school basketball for 16 years, and high school and college soccer for over 25 years, including a semi-final NCAA game. He was also very active in the Dartmouth Youth Athletic Association as a coach and supporter.
An avid and accomplished golfer, Dick was a member of the New Bedford County Club for 48 years, serving on numerous committees and boards. He was also a member of the Congregational Church of South Dartmouth.
Survivors include his wife and four children: Doug Davenport and his wife Ilze, of Medfield; Nancy Kearney and her husband Jim, of Needham; Steven Davenport and his wife Kathy, of South Dartmouth; and, Janice Davenport Russell and her husband David, of Westwood. Dick also had eight wonderful grandchildren, and, he took great pride in their various athletic and academic successes. He was happiest when spending time with his family and his many close friends.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in his name to Southcoast Homecare Hospice and Palliative Care, 200 Mill Road, Fairhaven, MA 02719.
His funeral will take place on Wednesday, November 14th at 11 A.M. in the Wilson Chapel, 479 County St., New Bedford, with visitation at the funeral home on Tuesday from 4-8 P.M. Burial in South Dartmouth Cemetery.