Richard Allen Bailey

Richard Bailey, 62 of Hardwick, passed away at home unexpectedly on Monday, May 20, 2024. 

Ricky was born in Hardwick, VT on October 3, 1961, to Lawrence and Shirley (Ripley) Bailey. He was the youngest of their three children. Ricky spent a lot of his early childhood years in and out of the hospital with hip dysplasia. He attended Hardwick Elementary School and graduated from Hazen Union High School in 1979. After high school, he went right to work on his family farm helping his father with the slaughterhouse. In 1979, Ricky met the love of his life Dawn (Rogers) Bailey. In June of 1981, Ricky and Dawn traveled to Mississippi where Ricky worked on a shrimp boat. Ricky Married Dawn at the United Church in Hardwick VT. Soon after they started their family. 

In 1987 Ricky started working for Morrisville Lumber/rk Miles and was a dedicated employee for 37 years. In the early 2000’s Ricky started his own business, The Back Yard Butcher. Ricky enjoyed teaching his granddaughters the trade of butchering.  Ricky was a man who thought the world of his family, his friends, and the people he came in contact with. 

Ricky leaves behind his beloved wife, Dawn (Rogers) Bailey of Hardwick, and his children Samantha Bailey of Hardwick and Ashley (Bailey) Foster and Kyle of Hardwick. He leaves behind Samantha's children, Morgan and Sophia Foster, and Ashley’s Children Eloise, Estella, and Edson Foster of Hardwick. He also leaves behind his sister Doris (Stevens) and Bill McCanna, George and Gina Bailey, step-brother Kevin and Julie Brochu, his father’s partner Nancy Chaffee, and many nieces and nephews, 

He was predeceased by his parents Larry and Shirley, step-mother JoAnne (Brochu) Bailey, and step-siblings, Jeannine, Laurette, Bobby Brochu and half sister Kathy Ripley Walbridge.
 
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, from 4-7 pm at the American Legion in Hardwick. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at 10:00 am at the United Church in Hardwick with a reception to follow at the American Legion. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ricky’s honor to the Hardwick Rescue Squad.

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