On Sunday, October 15 after the 10am service, First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in Melrose (121 W. Foster St) will be dedicating its newly built pergola in memory of the lives of Carl (Rick) and Rebecca (Becky) Mockler.  Friends of the church and the Mocklers are invited to attend.

The rain date is October 22.

Both Becky and Rick volunteered in and around Melrose.  Becky was known as a master potter and for teaching pottery in the Melrose Program for Afterschool Learning where her classes filled up immediately.  An avid gardener, their home was filled with plants in the pots she made.  She was an active volunteer with the Melrose Symphony Orchestra, the Melrose-Wakefield branch of the American Association of University Women, and on the board of the Fitch Home.

At church, she was involved in all things having to do with fellowship. Becky and Rick chaired the church’s capital campaign.  Doing what they both loved, travelling, Becky died unexpectedly in Italy in March, 2000.

Rick attended the United States Coast Guard Academy, graduating with a degree in engineering. He married Becky and they lived in Washington, DC and New York City before moving to Melrose in 1981 to raise their daughter, Sarah.

Achieving rank of Captain, Rick retired in 1986. He went on to be a math professor at Bunker Hill Community College and work as a tax professional at H&R Block.

After Becky’s death, Rick volunteered at First Congregational Church (serving as assistant treasurer for over 20 years), the Polymnia Choral Society, Melrose Council on Aging, the Melrose Day Center Board, and the Military Officers of America. He provided tax advice at the Milano Senior Center, volunteered at the Stone Zoo, and the Wardroom Club. He was a member of the American Legion Post 90 and was on the board of the Mystic Valley Elder Services.

Following Becky’s love of gardening, he won awards at the Boston Flower Show. He collected trains, and built a backyard garden railway.

He traveled across the world and attending local concerts with his friend Becky Parry. He also enjoyed spending time with his daughter, who recently relocated to the area.

At the time of his sudden death in March, Rick was beginning work on the now completed pergola and as such it is fitting the church dedicate it in the memory of their spirit of volunteering.  The pergola provides for a respite for walkers on West Foster Street to stop and contemplate.  It features an empty two chair bistro set, in memory of their time enjoying bistros in Europe.