I've been corresponding with Rich's Daughter. He fought a brave battle, but succumbed to cancer in 2003. She said he was a wonderful father which doesn't surprise me since he was a genuine, warm sweetheart of a guy while our classmate at LHS.
Richie and I became best friends soon after I moved to Lakewood entering Miss Lane's third grade at Clark school. He was clearly the alpha male with a bundle of energy which served him well in his athletic pursuits. He was also our freshman class president. We both came from large families dominated by men - there were six brothers in his, five in mine. We played on many of the same teams including football, baseball and wrestling. Our bond and mutual respect remained strong and always transcended the petty daily dealings typical of adolescence life although our interests and paths grew larger and diverged.
Only a few of us knew how complex he was. His influence on me during those formulitive years was huge and in no small way helped to shape the person I was then and continue to be. He was courageous, knew no fear, extremely protective and generous, and intelligent. Because of our friendship, he gave up to me opportunities he could have exploited for his own good, or paved the way for me to succeed.
Margaret Reilly
I've been corresponding with Rich's Daughter. He fought a brave battle, but succumbed to cancer in 2003. She said he was a wonderful father which doesn't surprise me since he was a genuine, warm sweetheart of a guy while our classmate at LHS.
Paul Benn
Richie and I became best friends soon after I moved toLakewood entering Miss Lane Clark school. He was clearly the alpha male with a bundle of energy which served him well in his athletic pursuits. He was also our freshman class president. We both came from large families dominated by men - there were six brothers in his, five in mine. We played on many of the same teams including football, baseball and wrestling. Our bond and mutual respect remained strong and always transcended the petty daily dealings typical of adolescence life although our interests and paths grew larger and diverged.
Only a few of us knew how complex he was. His influence on me during those formulitive years was huge and in no small way helped to shape the person I was then and continue to be. He was courageous, knew no fear, extremely protective and generous, and intelligent. Because of our friendship, he gave up to me opportunities he could have exploited for his own good, or paved the way for me to succeed.
He was a very good friend to have.