Obituary for Richard Paul Strazzella
Richard Paul Strazzella, age 66, of Newark passed away unexpectedly on Friday November 19, 2021. Richard was born on January 7, 1955. The second son of Adolph & Elizabeth.
Richard graduated from Conrad High School in 1972. He then pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Education at the University of Delaware. After graduation he worked for the University as the Assistant Director of Housing, he consulted with Universities and Colleges nationwide on campus security helping implement a security system still used today. In 1993 Richard left U of D to pursue his passion for teaching. He worked as a substitute teacher, tutor, and mentor for the Christina School District where he ended up teaching his daughter’s history class in 7th grade. After leaving the school district in 1995 he started a long successful career at MBNA where he rose to Senior Banking Officer, in 1996 Richard was awarded a 1955 Ford Thunderbird for his winning Masterpiece Idea. Of all the things he had accomplished this car was his pride and joy. He transitioned from MBNA to Bank of America eventually ending up with ABM where he was still employed as a Senior General Manager when he passed.
Richard was a family man, a son, a brother, a husband a father and a Pop Pop. He coached Little League for over ten years and chaperoned every school fieldtrip. Richard loved to golf. He loved being outside, he enjoyed watching the birds and swimming. He enjoyed smart gadgets of all kinds. An avid reader he never missed a Steven King novel. He loved to take his Thunderbird out on warm sunny days. He was a huge fan of the University of Delaware Blue Hens, Eagles and Phillies. He loved shooting pool with his long time friends Pomeroy and Bruce. In later years he enjoyed calling his friend Dick Noonan on the phone to yell about the Eagles on Sundays.
Richard was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Debra Jo Strazzella in 2021, Mother-in-law Joann Pennington and his parents Adolph Strazzella & Elizabeth Strazzella (Mahoney).
Richard is survived by his three children: Kevin, Paul & Breigh Strazzella. Two beloved grandsons; Gavin Richard Strazzella & Brice Richard Vaneiken; his brother Francis Strazzella (Susan) brother-in-law Joe Dolor (Carol) Niece Jenna & Nephew Michael.
He wouldn’t want us to be sad on this day although we dearly miss him he made it very clear that this isn’t a day for overwhelming sadness. Please come celebrate his life with us.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1pm on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Nichols-Gilmore Funeral Home, 212 E. Justis St. Newport, DE, 19804 where visitation will begin at 12 noon.
Richard graduated from Conrad High School in 1972. He then pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Education at the University of Delaware. After graduation he worked for the University as the Assistant Director of Housing, he consulted with Universities and Colleges nationwide on campus security helping implement a security system still used today. In 1993 Richard left U of D to pursue his passion for teaching. He worked as a substitute teacher, tutor, and mentor for the Christina School District where he ended up teaching his daughter’s history class in 7th grade. After leaving the school district in 1995 he started a long successful career at MBNA where he rose to Senior Banking Officer, in 1996 Richard was awarded a 1955 Ford Thunderbird for his winning Masterpiece Idea. Of all the things he had accomplished this car was his pride and joy. He transitioned from MBNA to Bank of America eventually ending up with ABM where he was still employed as a Senior General Manager when he passed.
Richard was a family man, a son, a brother, a husband a father and a Pop Pop. He coached Little League for over ten years and chaperoned every school fieldtrip. Richard loved to golf. He loved being outside, he enjoyed watching the birds and swimming. He enjoyed smart gadgets of all kinds. An avid reader he never missed a Steven King novel. He loved to take his Thunderbird out on warm sunny days. He was a huge fan of the University of Delaware Blue Hens, Eagles and Phillies. He loved shooting pool with his long time friends Pomeroy and Bruce. In later years he enjoyed calling his friend Dick Noonan on the phone to yell about the Eagles on Sundays.
Richard was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Debra Jo Strazzella in 2021, Mother-in-law Joann Pennington and his parents Adolph Strazzella & Elizabeth Strazzella (Mahoney).
Richard is survived by his three children: Kevin, Paul & Breigh Strazzella. Two beloved grandsons; Gavin Richard Strazzella & Brice Richard Vaneiken; his brother Francis Strazzella (Susan) brother-in-law Joe Dolor (Carol) Niece Jenna & Nephew Michael.
He wouldn’t want us to be sad on this day although we dearly miss him he made it very clear that this isn’t a day for overwhelming sadness. Please come celebrate his life with us.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1pm on Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Nichols-Gilmore Funeral Home, 212 E. Justis St. Newport, DE, 19804 where visitation will begin at 12 noon.