Richard Daniel O'Leary

Richard D. O’Leary, 88, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving wife, Barbara, three daughters and three stepdaughters on Saturday, April 17th, 2021. Richard was born in Lewiston, Maine, the only son of an Irish immigrant. He was raised in Auburn, Maine, attended the Maine Maritime Academy in Castine where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He also completed the Alexander Hamilton Institute’s course in Modern Business. He went on to receive a graduate tuition scholarship from Adelphi University where he earned a master’s in business Degree and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science Degree from Maine Maritime Academy, as well as being one of the first twelve inductees into that institutions Wall of Fame. After service in the U.S Navy, the U.S. Merchant Marine, where at the age of 25 was the second officer and navigator of the SS United States, making 254 transatlantic crossings from New York to Europe. He then became Commander of Midshipman at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY. Richard then moved to Norfolk, VA and became the Assistant General Manager of the Norfolk Port and Industrial Authority. In 1972 he founded Cruise International/ CI Travel which grew to become a national company with 2500 employees and 55 offices in twelve states. He built, owned and operated a fleet of fourteen 600 passenger harbor cruise vessels in the major port cities throughout the United States, including The Spirit of Norfolk, with Barbara at his side. They retired in 2005 and resided in Ogunquit, Maine in the summer and Naples, Florida in the winter. Richard is survived by his wife Barbara of 45 years, his daughters Lauren O’Leary, Leslie Quisenberry, Megan and Don Mayer, stepdaughter’s Michele and Greg Heckman, Stephanie and Woody Prettyman, Danielle and Russ Primack, 12 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and 4 nieces. Richard is predeceased by his step-daughter Dione Noel Boecker, who passed away August 18, 2016. The family wishes to extend its heartfelt appreciation to Kindred Hospice of Virginia Beach and all the wonderful caretakers especially Heather Blank and Father Crisanto of St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Virginia Beach. We honor his memory, mourn his loss and celebrate his legacy. Richard will be laid to rest in Kennebunkport, Maine at Arundel Cemetery on 11 Am Saturday, May 22nd, 2021. To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Richard’s Book of Memories Page at www.bibberfuneral.com Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer Street, Kennebunk, ME 04043.