Richard Gonyea of Williamsburg, Va., sports lover and game official and longtime Rye Golf Club Superintendent, passed away on July 4, 2021. He was 78.
Born in Millbury, Mass, he was the son of Cora and Lawrence Gonyea. He received an Associate’s degree in Turf Management from the University of Massachusetts, Stockbridge School of Agriculture.
Dick, as he was known, worked at Rye Golf Club for 33 years, and before that at Plandome Country Club in Long Island and served in the U.S. Army.
Mr. Gonyea was a member of the Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents Association, where he served as secretary and second vice president, as well as a member of the Golf Course Superintendent’s Association of America.
For over 30 seasons, he was a Westchester County Football Association referee. He was also an umpire for the Rye Girls’ Softball League and served as its vice president.
In retirement, he enjoyed the company of friends as part of the William and Mary Quarterback Club and tailgating with fellow sports fans at games. He loved spending time with his family, meeting friends to play golf, watching football, and birdwatching.
An active volunteer, Mr. Gonyea was a longtime member of the Rye City Lion’s Club and served as secretary from 1985-1993. After moving to Williamsburg, he chaired the Links Townhomes Landscape Committee in Ford’s Colony for 15 years.
In addition to his wife of 54 years, Marge Gonyea, he is survived by his daughters, Tracey Gonyea Vinis and her husband, John of Richmond, Va., and Holly Gonyea Dolan and her husband, Chris of Annville, Pa.; his grandchildren, Allison and Zachary Vinis and Braiden and Abigail Dolan. He is also survived by his siblings, Norman Gonyea and his wife Pat of Millbury, Mass., Ronald Gooney and his wife, Carolyn of Melbourne, Fla., and Ann Gonyea Pierpont of Millbury. He was predeceased by his sister, Lorraine Letendre.
A mass and celebration of life was held July 14 at Saint Bede Catholic Church in Williamsburg. memorial contributions in Dick’s memory can be sent to: Rye City Lions Club, Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents Association or The American Cancer Society
