SPEEDBOWL ICON DICK DUNN PASSES |
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Dick Dunn early in his Speedbowl career as |
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| Aboard a self-owned 3-window coupe at Waterford in the 1960s (Shany Lorenzent Photo) |
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| One of multiple Speedbowl feature victories while driving for the Bill Trask team (Shany Lorenzent Photo) |
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Smiles all-around following a Waterford feature win in the 1970s while piloting the “Buddha’s Bullet” #3. From left to right – the late Al “Buddha” Gaudreau, car owner the late Peg Gaudreau, Dick, and the United Stock Car Racing Club’s Harvey Tattersall III |
(WATERFORD, CT) Multi-time New London-Waterford Speedbowl Modified track champion Dick Dunn passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, March 27th, 2015. He was 77.
Calling hours and Funeral details may be found below or at www.legacy.com/obituaries/hartfordcourant/obituary
Long heralded as a marquee star at the Speedbowl, Dunn began his career in the shoreline oval’s support divisions before successfully transitioning to the headlining Modifieds where by the 1960s he’d become a multi-time feature winner with his own car, and also while driving for other teams.
A pairing with car owner the late Peg Gaudreau and her late husband Al at the dawn of the 1970s proved wildly-successful for the Middletown, CT, native.
Piloting the Gaudreau “Buddha’s Bullet” #3, he went on to record 4-straight Speedbowl Modified track championships beginning in 1972.
Significant Speedbowl victories during those years included the Schaefer 100, New England 100, and Fall Stinger 100.
The Dunn-Gaudreau team also notched feature event victories at other New England speedways including the Thompson Motorsports Park in Connecticut, and at New Hampshire’s Monadnock Speedway. Additionally, the team also frequently competed at the big yearly Modified shows at Virginia’s Martinsville Speedway.
In 2000 he was named among the Speedbowl’s “50 Favorite Drivers” during a ceremony honoring the tracks 50th Anniversary.
The last laps of Dunn’s Modified career were recorded at the Speedbowl aboard a Ted Marsh-owned Modified in 1987.
The New England Antique Racers (NEAR) forwards its sincere condolences to Dick’s family & many friends on this somber occasion.
All photos courtesy of Dave Dykes’ Racing Through Time at www.davedykesracingthroughtime.com
Obituary Below Published in The Hartford Courant on Mar. 28, 2015
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Richard P. Dunn, Sr, 77, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, March 27. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 40 years Constance (Scata) Dunn. Richard was born on July 19, 1937 in Middletown, son of Walter and Pauline Dunn. He was blessed with a large and loving family. He is survived by his children, Patty and Bill Edgerly of Middlefield, Elizabeth Dunn and Tod Raynor of Middlefield, Paula and Peter Barnett of Higganum and Richard Dunn, Jr of Old Saybrook. He had five grandchildren: Nicole Vanecek, Todd and Chelsey Sikora and Matthew and Megan Barnett; as well as his great grandson, Colton Sikora. Richard also shared many happy years with his best friend, constant companion and fiancée, Sharon Pacifico.
He is survived by his sister Eileen and George Scherber of Chester as well as Artie and Debbie Scata of Meriden, Joseph and Linda Scata of Windsor and Phyllis Sundell of Portland and several nieces and nephews. Richard retired from the City of Middletown after 37 years and worked his way up to be the Fleet Service Manager for the Department of Public Works at City Yard. He was known for his ability to fix anything. He received recognition from the Mayor for his efforts during the flood of 1992. Richard had a passion for racing and drove modified stock cars locally for over 20 years. He was best known as Dick Dunn #3 Waterford Speedbowl legend and was track champion several times. He was a long time member of St. Pius X Church. He enjoyed spending time at the family cottage in Old Saybrook. The funeral will be held on Monday at 11am from the Coughlin-Lastrina Funeral Home, 491 High Street, Middletown followed by a mass of Christian burial at St. Pius X Church at 12 noon. Burial will be in the family plot in St. Sebastian Cemetery, Middlefield. Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday evening from 5-8pm. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Middlesex Hospice Unit, c/o Development Office, 55 Crescent Street, Middletown, CT 06457. |