1934 - 2024
Army Visitation
February 5, 20243:00-7:00PM
The Dolan Funeral Home
Funeral
February 6, 202411:00AM
St. John The Evangelist Church, Chelmsford, MA
Richard “Dick” Marshall Ring, 89, of North Chelmsford, passed away peacefully on January 24, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of the late Patricia Frances (Devlin) Ring. Born in Pittsfield, MA, on May 20, 1934, he was the son of the late Harold and Evelyn (Davin) Ring.
Dick graduated from Brighton High School with the Class of 1952 and later served in the U.S. Army, where he competed for the U.S. Army cycling team. His professional journey led him to become a skilled pipefitter with Union Local 537.
Dick was a nationally ranked competitive cyclist and speed skater, earning a spot as an Olympic alternate in both sports during his career. Renowned as the “Voice of New England”, Dick became an announcer for bike races, leaving a lasting impact on the cycling community.
Dick was a passionate promoter of both cycling and speed skating. Together with his longtime friend Bill Farrell, Dick co-founded the New England Cycling Academy to teach new riders the fundamentals of cycling and proper training techniques. He led regular weekend training rides with members of his cycling club, the North East Bicycle Club. He also routinely maintained outdoor speed skating tracks on local lakes and ponds where he trained with other skaters from the community. As a father, grandfather, and cherished member of his neighborhood, he spent a lifetime encouraging and fostering the athletic pursuits of the young people in his life.
Dick was an avid athlete and outdoorsman. He found great joy in hiking, fishing, skiing, and skating with his children and grandchildren. He continued to pursue his love of speed skating and cycling into his 80s.
Dick is making his final journey alongside his loving wife whom he fondly referred to as his “girlfriend”, Patricia “Pat” (Devlin) Ring, who passed away shortly before him on January 20, 2024. Their family finds immense comfort in the fact that they are together again in death, just as they were in life. Dick and Pat shared a lifelong love, which included 64 years of marriage. They enjoyed spending time at the beach, traveling, dancing, and being outdoors together.
Dick is survived by his treasured children: Nancy Falco and her husband Mark, Michael Ring and his wife Marsha, Kimberly Ring and Marc Turgeon, and Kenneth Ring. He was an adored grandfather to Cara Donnelly-Justus and her husband Charles, Amanda Falco, Aimee Falco, Julia Cochrane and her husband Kieran, Shannon Ring, Ryan Turgeon, Jack Ring, and Harry Ring. Dick also leaves behind one great-grandchild, Adeline Cochrane.
He is survived by a sister-in-law, Catherine Devlin, and many beloved nieces and nephews. He will also be remembered fondly by the countless people in his life who he provided mentorship and support to.
He is predeceased by his son, Timothy Ring, who passed away in 1988, as well as his brother David Ring and his wife Peggy, and his sister Sheila Anthony and her husband Keith. He is also preceded in death by his brother-in-law Francis Devlin Jr., and sister-in-law Nancy Ulrickson and her husband Carl.
Dick will be remembered for his dedication to his community, his achievements in cycling and speed skating, and his lasting presence as the “Voice of New England”. His warm kindness and genuine smile were infectious to everyone he met. He leaves behind cherished memories and a legacy that will endure in the hearts of those who knew him. “Life is a journey, make sure you enjoy the ride!”
FUNERAL NOTICE
Richard Marshall Ring, died January 24, 2024. Visiting hours will be held on Monday, February 5, 2024 from 3 pm to 7 pm at DOLAN FUNERAL HOME, 106 MIDDLESEX STREET, N. CHELMSFORD, MA. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday February 6, 2024, at 11:00 AM at St. John the Evangelist Church, 115 Middlesex St, N. Chelmsford, MA. The burial will take place in Pine Ridge Cemetery, 130 Billerica Rd, Chelmsford, MA. Memorial donations may be made in his name to the VA Central Western MA. Please make checks payable to VACWM, and mail to VACWM-CDCE 421 North Main Street Leeds, MA 01053. Please reference GPF1002 and his name on the check. ARRANGEMENTS BY DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 978-251-4041. Guestbook at www.dolanfuneralhome.com
Stephen Pelletier
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The guy was special and I was blessed to have him as a mentor and friend. Sending my sincere condolences to his family and friends. I will always remember him fondly.
Neil Mansfield
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My memories of Dick Ring both in speed skating and the cycling worlds were epic
Like so many of us we grew up hearing Dick Rings voice behind us as we were speed skating on ponds lakes and Lake Placid
Always with a kind encouraging teacher’s voice in how to improve your skating technique how to go faster and not give up when you thought you were at your upper limits but always with a great sense of story telling and humor that kept you smiling laughing out loud
Dick Ring was a true
icon
legend
teacher
Athlete
Fabulous speed skater and bike racer
But above all a great mentor to so many of us in racing bicycles and speed skates he taught us how to race how to be sportsman like how and try our best how to train hard
how race
His stories were epic
His announcements in both speed skating races and bike races were just amazing and who knew that he was making it up on the fly as the race developed he was just brilliant at this.
Our memories of driving up to lake placid through VT and over Lake Champlain , and up into Lake Placid Adirondack regions, to race speed skating
Well you got Dick Rings stories one after another for 6 hours and we all loved every minute of his shared life’s experiences his military service his old school 1950 s racing amazing and his ability to recall past cycling and speed skating events just astonishing but above all we enjoyed his sense of humor and warm smile
God bless his soul
we were all blessed to have a great mentor father figure in our lives growing up we will miss you Dick Ring
Neil
Boston speed skater / bike racer
Jim Powers
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Miss them years driving down to the Iorio Rink. “Getting stuck on RT 128 for hours in the Ice storm”, you – helping other stuck passengers -get thru that night! Short walks ” nothing less than 6 miles” Bike lesson’s on Tinker loop. T – we will miss you
jim
BayState Speedskating Club
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Though I only met Dick a few times in his later years his and Pat’s contributions to BayState Speedskating live on with their friends in Walople! We are grateful for their support, coaching and announcing and sorry to have such good people pass.
Always in our memories,
Jen Kola, Club President and the BayState Speedskaters
Jen Cunningham Butler
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To Dick’s family: There are so many iconic moments, stories and appreciations to share with you! He knew every rider, had a story to tell (or make up!) about them, and called out “the familiar riding style of…” as someone took a flyer or made a move in the pack. The color commentary was epic! He came to know each one of us, cat 5 to pros, and treated each of us with respect and an eye towards our development as cyclists and people. His friendship with Tommy was inspiring – them on a corner at Workingman’s or at the track, encouraging everyone, calling out tips, and joking with each other. What a pair!
After Sochi, we were talking with Dick when he said how much fun it would be to go to Worlds up in Montreal since Dan and he shared a love of speedskating. Done! Dick in the passenger seat from Chelmsford to Montreal … non-stop chatter and excitement from him and laughter from us! Watching the races, going to the botanical garden, having meals with Dick…his excitement and enthusiasm will be missed!
That he followed Pat on their final journey gives some solace. Wishing you all peace and love. Jen Cunningham Butler & Dan Butler
John & Joyce Reischutz
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We will greatly miss Dick for his energy and support of cycling.in the New England area.
Someone who always had a smile and a pat on the back for you.
Pieter A Dykstra
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I was lucky enough to meet Dick Ring many years ago at a speedskating competition, where he would often announce races with such joy and fun, with his style of commentary.
A moment in time around 1989 I recall fondly was early in the week I had driven up to the Oval in Lake Placid, NY for some ice training. It was quiet during the week there, and to my Surprise into the warm up hut walks in Dick Ring, asking how things were going and my plans. Turned out he also had come up for some skating, and asked to share a room and train together for the week.
Of course, I said.
It wasn’t long before Dick came up with some ideas, made a couple phone calls including a local Photographer, and the great Mr. Jack Shea, to arrange a photo shoot at the oval. Dick had idea’s and made things happen!
Near the end of the week, we had a lot of laps skated together, many meals and stories about his VERY interesting past with the sports of Cycling and Speedskating. Amazing really!
Dick had one more idea before he left for his drive back home, and that was to interview me, so he could write a story about my skating trip to the Netherlands, because he felt it was important to share the experience, and encourage others about the sport of speedskating and chasing their dreams. He wrote it all down, gave suggestions about adding photos, and how and where to submit the information.
That was Dick….a TRUE giver to the sport he loved.
I send my most Sincere Condolences to Dicks Family and Many Friends.
Dick “The Ringer” was truly an amazing person, I will never forget him.
Joyce & Jim Gorman
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The Ring’s were the best friends and neighbors one could ask for. I will aways remember Dick for his willingness to share his knowledge and talent for any project be it for an individual or the community. Joyce will hold Pat in her memory for raising children next door to each other and Christmas Eve Masses. We will miss them dearly.
Lee Berard
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Dick Ring is our original riding and life skills mentor. On the road he was a tough taskmaster to us three unschooled young flog donkeys. We stuck it out (he was equally a loving surrogate Dad) one went of us made it to a Natz team to the Tour of Peru (Andes Mt. eh?). Brother + l raced England + Belgium. I think he taught us to survive waaay over our heads + get back to our families + beginner slacker jobs in one piece. He + Tommy Young (Scotland Natz Road Champ cred.) would commiserate about how to keep us from becoming low grade road missiles with no brains! He is our guiding light then. Big love.
Michael Tobin
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Dick was one of a kind! Kind, giving, enthusiastic, and approachable. He helped me buy my first road bike after college, and helped me and countless others in learning about cycling, racing, and life. I still hear his voice in my head calling out racing laps, and commenting on the riders in his personal, positive and unique way. The velodrome will never be the same.
Michael Powers
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I meet Dick in 1980 at the Longsjo bike race and from on we became great friends. I have fond memories of riding our track bikes in a neighborhood and he would chat away as we rode .
He will live on in my heart ❤️
Matthew Stuart
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Dick Ring was always the “Voice” of New England bicycle racing. He was such a character, and always had a smile to give for the lowly beginner racer up to some of the best New England racers. His commentary added color and fun to our local cycling events, and I will always have fond memories of him from the races. I still use some of his classic phrases when I get a chance to announce at our local event, and give him full credit. He was and will always be the absolute best! The world is a smaller place without him.
John Chadis
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Counting laps, continuous encouragement, prodding and pushing you to achieve more than you thought possible, Dick Ring personified what is best in all of us.
When my then ten year old son and I began speedskating in the early 90’s, Dick’s caring and always helpful teaching brought us great joy and accomplishment. His enthusiasm was infectious and the memories of skating on the 400 meter oval he marked and cleared in the ponds!
Wonderfully fond times!
“You can do it,” right you are Dick.
Thank you for blessing us all with your grace.
John Chadis, Boston speedskater
Dave Perry
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If you could pick neighbors, these are the two you’d choose. But we just lucked into them. And it was one of the greatest strokes of luck in our lives. We miss them.
Mike Ring
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I would like to thank all those who reached out to our family during our time of loss. It has been amazing to see the outpouring of love and respect from the cycling and skating communities and it was wonderful to catch up with neighbors and friends.
I am especially thankful to the tight group of neighbors who have watched out for my Mom and Dad these past few years keeping the yard up, shoveling the driveway and making sure they were safe. They lived a fantastic life and we are at peace knowing they are in a better place together. Thank You !!