A Chelmsford man killed in a crash after his pickup truck struck a tree was a “devoted car, motorcycle and boating enthusiast” known for his Hawaiian shirt, his family wrote in his obituary.
At around 11 p.m. on June 9, the Chelmsford Police and Fire departments were notified of a crash in the area of 160 Westford St., police said in a statement.
Upon arrival, first responders found that the truck had left the road and hit a tree, police said. The lone occupant, Richard Wetmore, 61, was taken to Lowell General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Wetmore was born in Landstuhl, Germany, on Aug. 2, 1963. His parents raised him in Chelmsford, where he went to high school and graduated in 1981.
“Ron continued to maintain close friendships with many who attended Chelmsford schools with him,” his family wrote.
In 1992, Wetmore married Paula Wetmore, “with whom he would have celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary on August 1,” his obituary read.
Wetmore was a “skilled craftsman and confident, educated professional… [and] a general contractor and project/property manager for many years before establishing and operating Wetmore Construction Company,” his family continued.
After 10 years, Wetmore decided to work as a building inspector in Andover before, for the last 15 years, working as a Commonwealth of Massachusetts Building Inspector in the Department of Public Safety. He took this role seriously and “always put safety first in every inspection.”
“Ron had a passion for bringing positive energy to gatherings, and you could always locate him by following his hearty laugh and looking for his Hawaiian shirt,” his obituary read. “A devoted car, motorcycle and boating enthusiast, he enjoyed attending local car shows, riding with friends during bike week in Laconia, and boating with family and friends on Heart Pond.”
“If anyone ever needed a helping hand, he was always happy to do whatever he could to assist,” his family continued. “Ron was a dedicated golfer, active in a Monday night golf league at Nabnasset and Wednesday golf league at Chelmsford Country Club, traveling to Myrtle Beach for an annual golf trip with friends, and participating in several local fund-raising golf tournaments. He relished playing golf with his father in the leagues, tournaments, in family foursomes, and on Father’s Day. Of course, he always had a woodworking project underway.”
Wetmore is survived by his wife, children, granddaughter, parents, in-laws and several nieces and nephews.
“Ron loved his family and made them his number one priority, enjoying vacations in Ocean Point, Maine, and Disney,” his family wrote. “He especially cherished being ‘Pa’ to his granddaughter.”
Wetmore was predeceased by his son, Ronald “Ronnie” Wetmore, who died in 2006, and his father- and mother-in-law, Frederic and Florence Gallagher.
Visiting hours for Wetmore will be held on Wednesday, June 18, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Dolan Funeral Home at 106 Middlesex St. in North Chelmsford. His funeral will be on Thursday, June 19, beginning with the meeting for the procession at 10 a.m., then the funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Church in Chelmsford.
