Alvin Walter Dick, 94, Former Door-to-Door Salesman

Alvin Walter Dick was born Nov. 4, 1923 to William Joseph Dick and Orise(Goudreault) Dick in Haverhill. He passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Nov. 3.

Dick’s mother died in childbirth when he was three and he and his siblings were raised in the Franco-American Orphanage in Lowell. He was 13 when he returned to Haverhill with his father and began working at Stein and Sulkis Shoe Company. With a fifth grade education, Dick worked for piecework pay as a shoe cutter and with his high energy and skill, he soon became very successful.

He met Arlene LeBlanc and married in St. Joseph’s church and bought a house in old North Andover Square and began raising a family of seven children. They needed more space and purchased a farm in Georgetown where they lived for many years.

As the local shoe industry closed, Dick began working for Senak of Manchester N.H., in a door-to-door sales position, selling everything from pots and pans to percolator coffee pots and silverware. He also purchased Kiddie’s Joy ice cream trucks, developing his own routes and community events.

In his free time Dick loved deep-sea fishing and playing poker and could always pick a winning horse! He was happiest being at home spending most of his time gardening, taking care of his animals and enjoying “the beauty of nature.” He loved the outdoors and lived a “blessed life.”

Dick is predeceased by his brother Leonard, and sisters Jeanette Merrill, Rita Shaw and Theresa Kamberalis. He leaves his wife Gladys of 30 years and eight children, Wayne and wife Diane of Salem, N.H., William of Plaistow, N.H., Peggy of Port Charlotte, Fla., Alan and husband Charles Hobgood of Salem, N.H., Gary of Georgetown, Annette and husband Brian Barnaby, Pelham, N.H., Christopher and wife Debbie of Derry, N.H., and Tara Butruccio of Bridgewater, N.H., along with 17 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Tuesday, Nov. 6, from 4-6 p.m. at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St., Haverhill. Funeral services will begin Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10 a.m. at All Saints Church, 120 Bellevue Ave., Haverhill. Burial is private.