Richard F. Ameen, 73
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Richard Ferris "Dick" Ameen, 73, of 88 Chenaille Terrace died Friday, Oct. 23, 2009, at home surrounded by loved ones.
Born in North Adams on Nov. 20, 1935, son of Kassim F. and Margaret Errichetto Ameen, he attended North Adams schools and graduated in 1953 from Drury High School, where he played on the varsity basketball team.
He enlisted in the Marines at age 17, serving until 1956.
Mr. Ameen was employed as the vocational rehabilitation supervisor in the North Adams office of the state Rehabilitation Commission, retiring in 2000 after 35 years of service. In the early 1970s, he owned and operated the former Angelina's Sub Shop on Marshall Street. During that same time period, he also owned and operated the former Cedars of Lebanon Bakery on State Street.
He was a member of First Baptist Church since age 13. He was a life member of Frank R. Stiles Post 125 American Legion, serving as commander for four terms and as an executive board member for 42 years. He was the co-chairman for 10 years of the Legion's annual Christmas dinner. Among his other Legion activities, he served as the post adjutant for several commanders. He was also chairman of its scholarship fund for 35 years, a Legion State Baseball board member for 10 years, a member of the state Athletic Committee and District 1 baseball commissioner for three years.
He also was a member of the Dalton VFW and a life member of Disabled American Veterans. He was a 3rd-degree master mason, being raised in September 1958, and was a member of the Greylock Lafayette Lodge. He was a deputy sheriff in Hampden County. He was a life member of the Greylock Community Club; a member of the North Adams Airport Commission for 25 years and a member of the McCann Technical School Culinary Program Advisory Board.
He spent his life in the community that he loved so much, North Adams, and was blessed to be surrounded by friends that he loved dearly and thought of as family.
He and his wife, the former Mary E. Lamb, would have celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary on Feb. 18, 2010. He met the love of his life, Mary Beth, on a blind date in 1958.
Besides his wife, he leaves two daughters, Margaret E. Ameen of Las Vegas and Susan T. Ameen-Fisher and her husband, Matt Fisher, of North Adams; two sons, Kassim "Mike" Ameen and his wife, Beverly Smith Ameen, of North Adams and Richard K. Ameen of Jupiter, Fla.; six sisters, Dorothy Ali of Dalton, Jeanette Ameen, Nazeerah A. Sookey and Maneera Ameen, all of Adams, and Julie Haddad and Christine Maher, both of Williamstown; two brothers, Fuad Ameen, and his wife, Mary, of Pittsfield and Edward Ameen and his wife, Barbara, of Adams; two other daughters-in-law, Marielle Landry and Megan Colvin Ameen; three grandchildren, Kaytee Ameen, Carly Ameen, and Hadley Ameen, and numerous nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by four brothers-in-law, Isa Ali, David I. Sookey, Michael Haddad and Dr. Galeb H. Maher.
FUNERAL NOTICE â€' The funeral services for Mr. Ameen will be held Friday,Oct. 30, at 11 at First Baptist Church in North Adams. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery.
Calling hours will be Thursday, Oct. 29 from 4 to 8 at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Richard F. Ameen Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of Frank R. Stiles Post 125 American Legion, P.O. Box 667, 91 American Legion Drive, North Adams, MA.