Massachusetts man who died after bike crash loved the outdoors, skiing

The Massachusetts man who died one day after his bicycle crashed on Tucker Avenue near Larson Street enjoyed the outdoors and skiing, had homes in Woburn, Mass., and Bridgton, Maine, retired after 20 years with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, and most recently was an electric power engineer with the engineering firm HNTB.

Richard F. “Dick” Conley, 69, died Sunday at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, one day after his bike crashed on Tucker Avenue, about 4:23 p.m.; he had been bicycling with a friend toward town. The King County Medical Examiner determined Conley died from injuries sustained in the crash — specifically "blunt trauma to his head and trunk." Conley wasn't wearing a helmet, according to the San Juan County Sheriff's Department.

What caused Conley to crash is not clear; Sheriff Bill Cumming said traffic and road conditions are not believed to be factors. The King County Medical Examiner ruled the incident an "accident," yet did not note any health conditions that might have caused Conley to crash.

Conley's body is expected to be returned to Massachusetts by Wednesday morning, according to E.E. Burns & Son Funeral Home in Malden, Mass.

According to an obituary released by the funeral home, Conley was born and raised in Melrose, Mass. He attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and retired after a 20-year career with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. Most recently, he was an electric power engineer for HNTB.

"Dick had a love for the outdoors, especially in Maine, and he particularly enjoyed skiing," the obituary states.

He is survived by his children, Lt. Katrina Conley, USN, of San Diego, Calif.; Richard F. Conley Jr. and his wife, Indu, of Attleboro, Mass.; and Jennifer Conley and her husband, Glenn Burres, of Killington, Vt. He is also survived by his granddaughter, Kaitlyn Burres.

Visitation is Thursday, 4-8 p.m., at E.E. Burns & Son Funeral Home, 204 Main St., Malden, Mass. Funeral is Friday, 8 a.m., at E.E. Burns & Son, followed Funeral Mass in the chapel of the Church of the Sacred Hearts, Malden, at 9 a.m.

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