FRIENDSHIP — Richard Albert Vining Harding, Jr., finished his race and entered into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus on September 3, 2024.

Born in Portland, Maine to parents Richard Albert Vining Harding, Sr., and Ethelyn Mather Harding, he and his siblings, Paul and Linda, grew up in the greater Portland area spending some time in Rockport. Richard developed a love for coastal Maine that would remain throughout his life.

He met his first love, Jesus, and his faith and gratitude to God would be one of his life’s markers. Another would be Cheryl Anne Bruns whom he met at youth group at First Baptist Church of Portland. Richard would ask Cheryl to be his first mate for life and they were married at First Baptist Church on June 27, 1964. They would add to their family sons Brett and James in 1966 and 1969.

As a family they lived in the greater Portland area, and he started his own furnace/boiler business in Falmouth. He had a talent for working on and fixing things, and he also had a talent for creating. As hobbies he painted, did light wood working, and enjoyed cooking. However, one of his greatest passions was boating. He loved sharing this with his family sailing Casco Bay with many stories to accompany the trips.

In 1977 when friends invited them to visit Florida, God would open a door to pursue his passion for boating. They relocated to Clearwater where Richard found his calling as a boat builder working at Clearwater Bay Marina for Clark Mills. As a family they adventured sailing the Tampa and Clearwater Bay areas, snorkeling and island hopping. In Florida Richard would also attend Trinity Bible College for a year where he enriched and deepened his knowledge of scripture.

His heart would lead him back to coastal Maine in 1980, settling in Rockport. In 1981 the Lord would bless him again as a father when they welcomed their daughter, Cynthia.

During this time Richard used his skills as a boat builder for Lee’s Boat Shop in Rockland, then William B. Cannell Boatbuilding in Camden where one of the projects he worked on was the yacht “Whitefin”. He even brought his passion home, building a sailboat of his own design in his very own basement. He shared his enjoyment for hunting, motorcycles, hot-rodding and driving vehicles with his family.

Richard attended and served at both First Baptist Church of Rockland and Owls Head Baptist. He also served as one of the leaders in the Boys’ Brigade group his sons attended.

In 1987 Richard fulfilled a lifelong dream when they sold their home and purchased a large 1930’s wooden Atkins ketch. Spending the summer restoring and refitting her, she was named Wings of Dawn, inspired by Psalm 103:9-10.

Richard, Cheryl, and Cindy would move onto Wings of Dawn and make it their home for the next 8 years. They would sail her back and forth between Virginia, Maryland and Maine before settling in Virginia with many harrowing (and some very funny) sea stories to go along with the voyages.

In Virgina, Richard continued his boat building career at York River Yacht Haven, Zimmerman’s Marine and Deagle’s Marine. The pinnacle of his career was to be the Master Boat Builder/Foreman of restoration for the yacht “Manitou”, which was the Presidential yacht JFK enjoyed during his administration. Richard oversaw and performed much of the interior restoration and fine details on the yacht.

Richard continued serving in the local churches as a Sunday school teacher and deacon. He loved sharing what he learned, especially about God and the scriptures. He was a voracious reader for both Bible studies and sea adventures.

In 2005 his heart would again lead him back to Coastal Maine, ultimately settling with his bride in Waldoboro. He would travel back and forth between Maine and Virginia, until 2018 when all of his children and grandchildren were living in Maine. He was most recently a member of Orffs Corner Community Church in Waldoboro and never lost his love of sharing Jesus with anyone he could.

He shared all his passions with his family, teaching and pouring into them all the knowledge he had. Most importantly he told them constantly how much he loved them. He never lost his ability to see a worn-out boat or a café bike in disrepair, and see what others couldn’t. The beauty that could be coaxed out with a bit of time, effort, and love.

Richard in his final years focused on family, especially his bride, Cheryl. His love for her has touched the lives of both family and strangers with his commitment to honor her. She was his best friend and love of his life.

Predeceased by his parents, Richard and Ethelyn Harding, and brother Paul; Richard is survived by his beloved wife, Cheryl; sons, Brett Harding and his wife Randi, James Harding and his wife Razella; daughter, Cynthia Harding; his sister, Linda Gold; and his grandchildren, Lindsay, Ryan, and Ariana; a great-grandson, Elias; as well as all the many other loved ones, both who have gone before and those who remain, that are too many to name but were also dearly loved.

Richard’s life is full of too many adventures to list here, and a celebration of life will be planned at a later date so that family and friends can remember him and his fullness of life together.

To share a memory or condolence with the Harding family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com. Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland.