Richard Wind

On Thursday, May 26, 2022, Richard (Rick) Wind, 68, of Brockton, passed away unexpectedly, and was found at his home. Born in Plymouth, son of the late John B. Wind and the late Beverly R. (Feinberg) Wind, he was raised in Brockton and attended schools there until attending Proctor Academy in Andover, NH, for his high school years, graduating in 1971. In late summer that year, he moved to Elmira, NY, where he attended Elmira College, and graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Business in 1975. After taking some time off from school, a few years later he decided to continue his education, and enrolled at Bryant College in N. Smithfield, RI, where he earned his Master's Degree in Business Administration with a 4.0 average.  He graduated with his class in May of 1984. Later in his life, he returned part time to school to study the theories and protections of computer fraud and identity theft, until his health prevented him from continuing with his courses. As a young teenager, and after college, he did small jobs for the summer, working at Burger King, and helping his Dad at Wind Innersole in Brockton. In 1980, he worked at Baker Bros./Systems in Stoughton for several months, until an opportunity was available at South Shore Packing in Brockton, where he was in charge of managing the computer systems and was “on call” 24 hours a day.  He continued in that line of work, worked for several years at IDS in Rhode Island, and then in 1992 became employed at International Laboratories in S. Easton, MA, where he was an “On call” Computer Manager for results in the medical field, until poor health forced him to reluctantly leave in 2009 after 17 years of service. In his early college years, Rick was active with the CB radio, having a home base as well as a mobile unit, and spent many fun-filled hours with his friends by radio.  His call name was Rotten Rick, which he emphasized with his deep voice, which made everyone laugh because it would vibrate as he rolled his R’s. At Elmira College, Rick was a DJ of the same call name between classes, and he enjoyed spinning his vinyl for his fellow peers on campus.  In 1978, he met his future wife through his friend, and in 1979 they began dating, and were married in April of 1983. They were married until 1992, when they parted as good friends, and have retained a lifelong friendship. Her new husband, Jay, since 1998, had become Rick’s best friend. Together, they have watched over Rick and attended to his many health needs, as his health slowly deteriorated.  But, even when Rick was frail, he himself looked after his close friend Merrilee, in assisted living, bringing her food and needed items and watching over her finances when she was unable to do so. Rick touched so many people in his life. In 2000, he moved home from his apartment in Bridgewater to take care of his parents in their later lives and took care of them until their passing.  He would visit his friends consistently while they were either in the hospital or convalescing at home, just to keep them company. After his ex-wife had a car accident, he took her to physical therapy 2-3 times a week so that her husband would not need to leave his employer. He would drop things at a moment’s notice to help anyone in need. He did a wonderful Bing Crosby imitation, and his family would make him sing the beginning of White Christmas every year.  He was generous with his time if anyone had an issue, and loved all animals, which gave him joy, though suffering from severe depression throughout his life. He will be forever missed. Richard is survived by his sister, Leslie E. Wind of Rockport, MA, his former wife, Michele J. (Grieco) (Wind) McCorkle and her husband, James (Jay) McCorkle of Stoughton, MA, his best friend and companion, Merrilee Nye of Brockton, a former brother-in-law, Mark J. Grieco and former sister-in-law, Theresa Grieco both of Foxboro, formerly of Brockton. He also leaves his good friends Laurel and Dan Nottage of Taunton, Peter and Pam Huntington of Easton, several aunts, uncles, many cousins, nieces and nephews and loving friends.  He also is survived by the loves of his life, his cats, Ellie-Mae and Jordan Robert Wind.  Richard was also the brother of the late Jonathan B. Wind of Richford, VT, former brother-in-law of the late Michael J. Grieco of Fall River, and former son-in-law of the late Rosemarie and late Peter Grieco of Brockton, and cat Dad of the late TC and Missy.  At the request of the deceased, there will be no service. There may be a gathering planned for a future date. Donations can be made in his memory to the Northeast Animal Shelter, 347 Highland Ave. Salem MA 01970.

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