HOPE — Richard Lenwood Brodis Sr., 81, passed away on Oct., 1, 2016, surrounded by his beloved wife, children and grandchildren, at the Sussman House in Rockport.

Dick was born in Camden on June 8, 1935, the son of Francis and Marion Milliken Brodis of Lincolnville.

He married his high school sweetheart, Gwen Norwood Brodis in 1953. After graduating from Camden High School, he worked with Herb Thomas in his sawmill and with Gwen's father on the family farm. He worked in construction, building many homes in the area, including his own. He was also employed at Rankin's Hardware in Camden for several years. In 1967, he and Gwen bought the family farm in Hope and formed Brodis Blueberries.

Dick was past president of the Knox County Blueberry Co-Op, a member of the Goose River Snowmobile Club and a life member of both the Hope Historical Society and Knox County Fish and Game. In 2016 he was honored for 50 years of volunteer service to the Town of Hope, as a fireman, selectman and planning board member.

Those who knew him well, know that he invented thinking outside the box. From the innovations he created to move a large building with an intact center chimney; or the creation of a crane from a tractor, irrigation pipe, chain and hook, he never ceased to amaze his family with what he could accomplish on his own. He also “repurposed” before it was fashionable, saving everything he could to repair or to make something new.

Dick worked hard and played hard. He was an avid hunter and snowmobiler, enjoying annual trips to Nicatous with his buddies as well as snowmobiling trips with Gwen to Northern Maine, Canada and Yellowstone. Every fall, Dick would hang out in the hunting camp with his family and friends reminiscing about past hunts. He was part of that unique era of men who physically worked hard every day to maintain and improve his property.

Even to the last months of his life, he had an uncanny ability to remember people, places and events dating back to childhood. Family and friends used him as a historian on a daily basis and will truly miss this quality.

He and Gwen owned a camp on Alford Lake, where he built a playhouse for the great-grandchildren. It gave him tremendous joy to watch them playing, swimming, biking, fishing and just running around at camp. In his final months, his only request was to have time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We are all very fortunate to have been able to spend time in July, August and September with him on the lake. The warm and sunny summer has been a gift.

Richard is survived by his beloved wife, Gwen Brodis of Hope; his children, Richard “Dick” L. Brodis Jr. and his wife, Pam, of Hope, Sonja B. Howard and her husband, Ron, of Rockport, and Dina K. Brodis of Rumney, N.H.; his grandchildren, Jeremy D. Howard and his wife, Marcie, of Hope, Heidi A. Baker and her husband, Jacob, of Rockport, Jim Brodis of Hope, and Ben Brodis and his wife, Amy, of Union; his step-grandchildren, Sarah Whithed and her husband, Thad, of Dalton, N.H., and Kristen McClintock and her husband, Sean, of Ludlow, Mass.; his pride and joy, the great-grandchildren, Alden, Ewan and Cael Howard, Izzy and Zoe Baker, and Jack and Crosby Brodis; and his step-great-grandchildren, Kiah Whithed and John and Colin McClintock; his siblings, Bette Carter and her husband, Freeman, Roger Brodis and his wife, Gerry, Gary Brodis and his wife, Jean, and Arleen Cohen and her husband, Stan; as well as many life-long friends.

Family and friends are invited to visit on Thursday, Oct. 6, from 5 to 7  p.m. at Burpee, Carpenter and Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland, where a Celebration of Life will be held on Friday Oct. 7, at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hope Historical Society, 367 Buzzell Hill Road, Hope, ME 04847

Please join us for a reception directly following the service on site at 110 Limerock St. in Rockland.

A private burial will take place at a later date.