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Richard Moore Thayer died at his home in Sagaponack on December 17. He was 84.
Mr. Thayer was born in Flushing and raised in Bridgehampton, the youngest son of Nathan Townsend Thayer and Grace Moore Sussdorff. He graduated from Bridgehampton High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Rutgers University.
He married his high school sweetheart, Betty Hildreth, and settled on Sagg Main Street in Sagaponack.
Mr. Thayer tried his hand at farming and then became more involved with dredging and dock building and, later, excavation.
During the early years of his business, he operated his sawmill, cutting specialty wood for customers. He enjoyed woodworking and made many special furniture pieces for his family. He belonged to the East Hampton Trails Preservation Society and he and his family liked to horseback ride, go for buggy rides, and sleigh rides in the winter.
He was a member of the Pedro Club in Southampton, enjoying the monthly meetings and good times with his friends. He was also a board member of the Sagaponack School.
Mr. Thayer was married for 53 years before his wife, Betty, died in 2005 from pancreatic cancer. He married Georgia Hedges in 2007 and they were frequent patrons of the Fairway restaurant at the Poxabogue Golf Course and loved to swim at Sammy’s Beach.
In the summer, he would sail on Mecox Bay, and in winter, he would iceboat there and on Sagg Pond. He became an avid golfer at the Bridgehampton Golf Course where he was a member.
Predeceased by two older brothers, N. Townsend Thayer and Louis Thayer, he is survived by his wife, Georgia; and four children, Carrie, Richard, Robert and Rebecca, all of Sagaponack; three stepchildren, 13 grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and three step-great-grandchildren.
Visitation was Friday, December 18, at Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton. A funeral took place on December 19 at the Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church, followed by burial at Edgewood Cemetery in Bridgehampton.
Memorial donations may be made to the Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church Restoration Fund, P.O. Box 3038, Bridgehampton, NY 11932.
on Dec 21, 2015