Richard M. Liska, Sr, 84, of South Thomaston, Maine, died peacefully at home April 4. He was born July 23, 1930, in Stepney, Conn. 

He grew up on his grandparents’ farm in Newtown, attended first grade at Sandy Hook Elementary School, later went to Hawley Elementary School, and graduated from Hawley High School in 1948. He soon received draft notice for induction into the US Army. After waiting a period of time he was selected as one of eight inductees to the US Marine Corps. He trained in Quantico, Va., and Jacksonville, Fla., and was assigned to the US Marine Air Wing in Memphis, Tenn., until his discharge from service in March of 1954.

His interest in firefighting began in high school under the tutelage of vo-ag teacher Vincent Gaffney, when high school seniors were allowed to leave school during the day to help the fire companies fight grass fires around town. His passion for firefighting continued, and he joined Newtown Hook & Ladder soon after. He held many positions within Hook & Ladder, mainly as engineer and chief engineer. Mr Liska retired in May 1998, after 50 years of service.

He was service manager for Lovell’s Farm Equipment in Newtown for many years, and worked at Ruwet-Sibley in New Milford. He eventually retired from Pakulis John Deere Equipment in Brookfield. 

In 1996 he and his wife moved from Newtown to South Thomaston, Maine, where family and friends visited often.

His wife Ruth, with whom he would have celebrated 60 years of marriage on September 3 of this year; his sons, Richard M. Liska, Jr, and his wife Donna, of Newtown and Jeffrey D. Liska of New Milford; three grandsons, Joshua, and his wife Sally, of Sandy Hook, Jakob, and his wife Nicole, of Newtown, and Kurtis Liska of New Milford; granddaughter Sarah Locke of Rutland, Vt.; and two great-grandsons survive Mr Liska. His brother, Albert A. Liska, Jr, predeceased him. 

A celebration of his life will take place Sunday, April 19, from 2 to 5 pm, in the Alexandria Room of the Edmond Town Hall, Main Street, Newtown.

In lieu of flowers, Mr Liska requested donations be made to Newtown Hook & Ladder Building Fund, Box 3911, Newtown CT, 06470. 

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland, Maine. 

To share a memory or to offer an online condolence visit www.bchfh.com.