Richard Bridger

Longtime Millcreek Township Employee

Richard A. "Dick" Bridger, age 83, of Millcreek Township, passed away at his home, surrounded by his family, on Saturday December 15, 2012.

Dick was born in Erie on January 26, 1929, son of the late Clifford and Winifred Wilkins Bridger. He began school in the one room schoolhouse at 5 Points (Hamot Road) and then attended Lakewood School and graduated from Millcreek High School. He grew up on the family dairy farm (C.E. Bridger Dairy) on Wolf Road and served in the U. S. Army during the Korean Conflict.

Dick worked for Millcreek Township for his entire working career, beginning in the Streets Department. He then became the first employee of the Sewer and Water Department, retiring in June of 2010 as the Superintendent of that Department. Upon his retirement he had served Millcreek Township for 61 years and the number 55, which was his truck number and radio call sign, was permanently retired in his honor.

Dick's greatest love was his family. His favorite saying was "I have my family; I have everything I could ever need"! He loved his work and Millcreek Township, enjoyed gardening and being outdoors, taking long Sunday and evening drives and reading. One of his favorite past times was spending time on his lawn tractor, mowing his neighbors lawns. He was always ready to lend a hand with whatever project anyone needed help with.

He was a life time member of the Asbury United Methodist Church and served on the Board of Trustees as well as Head Usher for 47 years. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Erie, Tyrian Commonwealth Lodge No. 362 F. & A. M. and the Seibenbuerger Club, along with many professional organizations.

Dick is survived by his wife of 57 years Mary Ann (Breter) Bridger; two sons William and his wife Barbara and Scott and his wife Ann; 3 grandsons Richard Bridger of San Diego, Dr. Daniel Bridger and his wife Dr. Autumn Bridger of Lansing, Michigan and Kyle Bridger of Erie and one great-grandson Chase Allan Bridger who was born on June 26. He is further survived by his brother Donald Bridger and his wife Patricia of Cambridge Springs; his sister Phyllis Komora and her husband Jack of Erie; his brother-in-law Raymond Breter and his wife Carol of Erie; a sister-in-law Kathleen Slater and her husband George of Texas, a sister-in-law Helen Breter of Allentown, a sister-in-law Marilyn Walker of Florida and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Friends may call at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home 3801 West 26th Street (at Powell Ave) on Wednesday from 2-5 and 7-9 pm and are invited to attend the funeral service on Thursday at Asbury United Methodist Church at 11 am with Rev. Dan Owen and Rev. Brad Neel officiating.

Burial will follow in Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Tyrian Commonwealth Lodge will hold a Masonic Service on Wednesday at 7:30 pm.

Memorials may be made to the Asbury United Methodist Church Endowment Fund, 4703 West Ridge Road Erie, Pa. 16506.