Richard "Dick" WiseAge: 89 • Colchester/South BurlingtonRichard (Dick) Wise, three days prior to starting his 90th year, passed away peacefully at the University of Vermont Medical Center on January 2, 2017. He was surrounded by his family. Richard was married to Margaret Greene Wise who predeceased him in 1982.Richard worked at General Electric for 37 years, retiring in1988. Giving back to the community was important to Richard. He was an avid Boston sports fan spending many hours watching the Red Sox, Bruins and New England Patriots. By far, Richard's family brought him the most pride and enjoyment in his life. To anyone who would listen, he loved to share that he had seven children, 18 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, with more great grandbabies on the way. Richard was born on January 7, 1928 in Somerville, Massachusetts, the oldest child of Dexter and Marguerite Wise. He graduated from St. Clements High School and attended Boston College. In 1951, Richard accepted a job at General Electric and moved his family to Cincinnati, Ohio, eventually settling in Sharonville. Richard was a Councilman for many years, and instrumental in having the first library built in town, starting a Little League baseball program for boys, was on the St. Michael's School Board and an usher at church.When given the opportunity to work at General Electric in Burlington, VT, Richard was excited to move the family back to New England to be closer to extended family in the Boston area. Giving back to the community remained very important to him. He served on the Colchester Planning Commission and the board for Colchester Fire District, was a member of the South Burlington Boosters and an usher at Our Lady of Grace and Christ the King parishes. Richard contributed his long life to spending his winters in Florida and summers in Vermont. While a member of the Six Lakes Community in North Fort Myers he enjoyed hosting visitors, golfing and researching his genealogy. Richard spent the last couple months of his life at Allenwood in South Burlington where he was welcomed into the community with open arms.Richard is survived by his seven children and their spouses: Fran (Janet Wylie), Joe (Kristin), Karen (Edmund Richard), Peggy (Michael Rogers) Rich (Joanne), Marianne (Andy Terrien), Jane (Jim O'Neil). His grandchildren, their spouses and children: Katie Wise, Michael Wise and Justin and Marshall, Christopher Wise, Kelly Rector (Sam) and Quinn, Betsy Thatcher(Chad), Susie Regalia (Matt) and Abby, Drew, and Erin, Christine Burdick (Ryan) and Charlie and Caroline, Peter Rogers (Joanna) and Gavin and Caden, Patrick Rogers (Laura) and Ella, Stephanie Farrell (Stuart) and Woodson and Yates, Amy Scott (Eric), Allie Wise, Meg Hershman (Jordan ) and Andrew, Molly Terrien, Anna Coppenrath (Taylor) and Finley, Katie Darak (Elijah), Sarah Keveson (Ben), and Chris O'Neil. He is also survived by his sister, Peg Perry. Also many nieces and nephews survive him. He was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Margaret, his four brothers: Jimmy, Billy, Donald and Bobby.In lieu of flowers donations in Richard's name may be made to Colchester Rescue, PO Box 55, Colchester, VT 05446.Visitation will be held from 4:00pm to 7:00pm Thursday January 5, 2017 at LaVigne Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 132 Main St, Winooski, Vt 05404. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00am, Friday January 6, 2017 at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 748 Main St, Colchester, Vt 05446, with interment to follow at Resurrection Park Cemetery. Condolences may be shared at www.lavignefuneralhome.com.Visit burlingtonfreepress.com/obituaries to Express condolences and sign the guest book.