Stories and Memories

Rich was a high school friend and we stayed friends after graduation. I remember playing baseball with some Mennonite friends and when he tried to teach me how to ice skate. Many years passed with no contact and years ago we began contact again with texts and e-mails. To his children, please accept my sincere sympathy. He was a wonderful friend and all who knew him were lucky.
George ( he never got my name right)

To Dawn, Melissa, and your families, I extend my heartfelt sympathy on John’s sudden passing. Thanks for sharing your dad with us.
I will always remember John as one of those special people I had the privilege to know and call my friend during my time in the Downingtown School District. His unmatched dedication to the Downingtown Music Parents, and the band program in particular, will be long remembered by the countless people he served. It was always fun to watch him enthusiastically enjoy the trips he had planned as the trips played out right before his eyes.
For me, John will always live on in every great music trip memory.

Blessings,
Doug Bennett
Charlotte, NC

Richie was my cousin. (He was my dad's first cousin, so I think that makes him my first cousin once removed or something like that.)

I was really fortunate to have spent a fair amount of time when I was a kid with both Richie and his wife Linda. I have always treasured the one summer (when I was about 12 or so) I did some yard work and painted the deck. Linda would make us some sandwiches while Richie was at work and it was probably my first of very few experiences with mulch. When she passed a few years later and to this day, I still treasure that time. A few years later, Richie volunteered to teach me how to drive, as sometimes my dad and I didn't get along. He was so patient with me over those few months as I often confused my left and right and nearly ran us into a ditch on Fisherville Road. I think of him often when I'm driving and almost every time I pump gas. He taught me to always fill it to an even 5 or 10 cents and I still do it to this day. Over the years, I have always looked forward to catching up with Richie and Charlene at Christmas Eve and other family gatherings.

I truly treasure all that time spent. Richie and Linda were both really remarkable and special people. I am happy they are finally reunited all these years later, but sad for the hole Richie's leaving here for us.

Dawn & Melissa, you and your families have my deepest and most sincere condolences.

Sarah

A

Amy Winslow & Family
May 6, 2020 9:13 AM
Dawn & Family:
I am so very sorry for the loss of your beloved Dad. What a wonderful man who truly lived life to fullest and had no regrets. May you take comfort in the memories that were made with your Dad. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers

J

Jack Crans
May 6, 2020 3:13 PM
Dawn and Melissa.... just received news of your father's sudden passing ... your mother and father were so very dear and my memories of them are precious ... your daddy was a gentle giant and he always enjoyed the hayride where he threw this old preacher around like a bale of hay .... many, moons, ago..... here's my e'mail and cell : jackccgm@aol.com 610 322 3392 ( I'd be most honored to reconnect ! ) Your father was a tender-heart ! I loved him!!

Angie Warner & Family
May 5, 2020 4:27 PM
Dawn and Family,
I am so very sorry to read of your Dad's passing. I know he was your world!
I'm honored to have met him and listened to some of his traveling stories.
My thoughts, prayers, love, and hugs are with you! ❤️

My dad was in the Air Force, and he would really enjoy meeting up with his Air Force friends for reunions. You may not know this, but there is an Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio. His Air Force "group" (for a lack of the appropriate title) has a nice marble bench outside the museum, that they sponsored. We always joked about him going by the Museum and seeing "The Bench" out at the Museum- if he was ever passing by one of his road trips. Maybe some day, if you're there, you will find it, and remember my dad and what he meant to you. I know he loved everyone of the people in his life. You may not have heard from him in a while, but he would be there if you needed him.