REMEMBERING RICHARD SAWYER
by Joe Cavanaugh and the Kettleers Family
August 12, 2020
The Cotuit Kettleers are deeply saddened to share the news that one of our most beloved family members, Richard Sawyer, passed away just after Noon on Sunday, August 9, 2020 – one year to the day after the Kettleers won their 17th Cape Cod Baseball League Championship. He died peacefully in his home in Sandwich, surrounded by family and friends, including the love of his life, Shirley.
Richard was a volunteer with the Cotuit Kettleers for fifteen (15) years, and served on the Board of Directors for twelve (12) years. He donated countless hours of work for the benefit of the Cotuit Athletic Association and the Kettleers.
Richard was a man of faith, and he displayed that faith in his life by helping others. He especially enjoyed working with young people and doing whatever he could to serve as a mentor in their lives, sharing his spirituality and stressing the importance of character. He bonded with countless Kettleers interns over the years and forged incredibly strong bonds with many of our young fans as well. He made everyone he came in contact with feel special, but he was particularly close to former interns Jon Mettus, Jon Perez, Hendrik Herz, Tyler Daugherty and the Flaherty boys, Peter, Matthew, and especially William. He also forged strong bonds with many Kettleers ballplayers, whom he also mentored. Tangible evidence that Richard succeeded in his lifelong drive to help others during his life can be seen in the amazing outpouring of love and gratitude for Richard posted on social media, and in guestbook notes beneath his obituary. Well done, Richard.
Richard loved attending baseball games at Lowell Park. While he was a fan of the game of baseball, attending games was primarily a social event that enabled Richard to spend time with people that he cared about deeply. Richard had a tremendous sense of humor, and he loved to tell jokes (especially lawyer jokes). He would often repeat the same jokes over and over, smiling and laughing as if he was telling them for the first time. One of his favorite pastimes was shouting “Down In Front” whenever a particular Kettleers photographer positioned himself on the field in front of him, blocking his view for just a few seconds to snap a photo. He loved to treat himself to frozen M&Ms, and Klondike Bars, while taking in the baseball action with his Kettleers family. He also had a special fondness for a certain curly-haired K-9 regular at Lowell Park: Lucy.
Richard was always there for anyone in need. He visited friends at their hospital bedsides when they were sick, and he gently put his arm around many who were experiencing a difficult time to comfort and support them. Richard also had a very special bond with our beloved Arnold Mycock, and always jumped to assist Arnold to his seat at Lowell Park in Arnold’s later years, and share laughs with him during games. The look on Richard’s face in the photo (left) of him and Arnold at Lowell Park says it all.
We will miss Richard Sawyer tremendously. He was, and always will be, Kettleers family. We take a small measure of comfort in knowing that at the last game that Richard attended at Lowell Park, he got to enjoy watching his beloved Kettleers win the Championship on our home field, surrounded by so many friends that he mentored, helped, and loved. We also take comfort in knowing that Richard’s final resting place will be in Mosswood Cemetery in Cotuit, just a couple of home runs away from Lowell Park.
Richard, from the bottom of our hearts, and with all of the love and affection that we have for you, we sincerely thank you for all that you did to enrich the lives of so many. We thank you for being such a wonderful friend, and for your many years of love and dedication to the Cotuit Kettleers. We will miss you forever, Richard. Our deepest condolences to Shirley, and the extended Sawyer family. Rest In Peace, dear friend.
The American Flag in center field at Lowell Park has been lowered to half-staff in Richard’s honor. It will remain so until Richard is laid to rest on Saturday, August 15, 2020.
Details regarding Richard’s wake and funeral, along with a beautiful obituary, can be found at the following link: https://www.ccgfuneralhome.com/obit/richard-h.-sawyer