MATINICUS ISLAND -  Richard R. Moody, 64, died Monday, December 16, 2002 at Maine Medical Center in Portland, after fighting a three-year courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Lincolnville, April 29, 1938, he was the son of Robert W. and Phoebe LaCombe Moody.  He was educated in Lincolnville schools and was a 1956 graduate of Camden High School.  In 1959 he graduated from Maine Maritime Academy; and for the next few years, shipped out as a merchant marine.

He lived several years with his family in Belfast, while working as a Ship Pilot with Penobscot Bay Pilots.  In that capacity, Mr. Moody was often transferred from ships he was piloting, off Matinicus Island, by island people.  He often stayed with those same people or at Bed & Breakfasts on Matinicus and quickly was assimilated into the community.

Pursuing his love of Matinicus Island and its people, in 1979, Richard purchased the Henry Young Company at Matinicus and moved there with his family.  

Dick operated the Island Dock and Off Shore Store.  Upon the retirement of Postmaster Clayton Young, Mr. Moody was appointed as Postmaster at Matinicus and served in that capacity more than 25 years.

In 1985, he began ferrying passengers from Rockland to Matinicus aboard his boat the Mary & Donna, and also did Puffin watch cruises.

December 20^th, 1986, he married Monique A. Caouette Talbot in Sabattus.

A Registered Maine Guide he worked primarily out of Northeast Carry at Moosehead Lake.  Dick loved camping with his family at Moosehead.

Active with the Maine Maritime Academy Alumni Association, Dick was instrumental in purchase of a brass bell, now used to commemorate deceased Academy graduates.

Besides his wife of Matinicus Island, Mr. Moody is survived by two daughters, Mary-Jo Moody Callan and her husband Sean of Bath, Donna A. Moody Norwald of Sanford; two step-daughters, Julie Beaule' and her husband Keith of Minot, Suzanne Talbot of Auburn; one step-son, Daniel Talbot of Auburn; one brother, James W. Moody and his wife Pamela of Greenville; two sisters, Valerie L. Giusto and her husband Ronald of Belmont, Sharon Pendleton and her husband Warren of Lincolnville; six grandchildren, Angela & Ashley Willette of Bath; Justin, Ian & Evan Beaule' of Minot; Joseph Dumont of Auburn; as well as aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.  He was pre-deceased by his parents Robert & Phoebe Moody and an infant sister, Dora Ann Moody.  He will be greatly missed by his many friends in the Rockland area, as well as the summer residents from other states who came to the island during summers.  All were very important in his life.