INDIAN LAND, SC – Richard Gomes, 75, of Indian Land, SC, found peace on August 20, 2023. He was born on April 10, 1948, to Joseph and Florence (Laliberte) Gomes in Fall River, Massachusetts. He grew up in Swansea, Massachusetts with his parents and three sisters and made occasional trips to Canada, where his mother was from, throughout his childhood. At age 15, Richard met his soulmate, Geraldine (Gerri) Motta. When they were courting, Richard would walk 15 miles from Swansea to Fall River, where Gerri lived. Anyone who saw them together could see that they were madly in love. Five years after they met, Richard and Gerri got married. They had 3 daughters together, Wendy, Holly, and Heather, and Richard loved them all dearly. To support his young family, Richard bravely joined the Army National Guard in which he served for 25 years, and, at times, worked three jobs at once. All the while, Richard was a model husband and father, enjoying dancing and dressing up for Halloween with his wife, spending time with his daughters, and watching his beloved New England Patriots. Richard moved to Sun City in Indian Land in 2007 and spent the remaining years of his life enjoying retirement with Gerri and visiting his daughters and five granddaughters. He was an amazing example of a human being, and he valued family above everything else. He wanted to make the world a better place and instilled those values in his children and grandchildren as well. He also enjoyed maintaining cars, eating good food, taking rides in his golf cart with Gerri, and watching sci-fi and fantasy movies, especially Star Wars. Richard adored dogs, and he and Gerri had six dogs over the course of their marriage. All of them adored him back.

Richard is survived by his wife, Gerri, of Indian Land, SC; daughter, Wendy Maybruck and husband Jeffrey Maybruck of Allentown, PA; daughter, Holly Gomes of Onset, MA; daughter, Heather daCosta and husband Michael daCosta of New Bedford, MA; sisters, Theresa Hanley of Tucson, AZ and Shirley Trudelle of Los Banos, CA; granddaughters, Vanessa Maybruck and Victoria Maybruck of Broomfield, Colorado, Megan daCosta, Emily daCosta, and Sofia daCosta of New Bedford, MA; and beloved dog, Bella.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Florence Gomes; and his sister, Florence Ballard.

Richard will be dearly missed, and with his passing, Heaven has gained a truly beautiful Angel.

A memorial service celebrating Richard's life will be held with family at a later date.