Obituary of Richard F. Greeley "Dick" , 80

Richard (Dick) F. Greeley, 80, of Brookline Village, State College, formerly of Williamsport, and Chelmsford, Mass., died Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009 at the Mount Nittany Medical Center. He is survived by his beloved wife, Ruth (Sharkey) Greeley, with whom he celebrated 54 years of marriage on June 18, 2009.

Born in Lowell, Mass., July 14, 1929, Dick was the son of Mary Ellen and John F. Greeley. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Ann T. Greeley (husband, Lee Erwin) and Mary Greeley-Beahm (husband, Scott Beahm); and four grandchildren, Devin Beahm, Trevor Beahm, Megan Greeley-Erwin, and Christina Greeley-Erwin, all of State College, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. The youngest of eight children, he was predeceased by his parents and four brothers and three sisters.

Dick was a wonderful and caring husband, father, grandfather, friend, and musician. He enjoyed playing the piano at events at Brookline and sharing games of bridge and meals with friends. Prior to moving to State College in 2007, he played the trumpet with "Sammy Ray and the Softsounds" for many years and prior to that played at Kings Motel. He was also an avid tennis player. He was a former member of the West Branch Tennis Club, the Williamsport Tennis Club, and the Williamsport Summer Tennis League. He was a life member and former President of the Antlers Country Club, as well as a member of the Board of Directors. He was also an avid Penn State football fan, having gone to all of the home games for over twenty years. Dick received his B.S. in Textile Engineering from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. He also served in the Korean War as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers as Battalion adjutant of the 84th Engineer Construction Battalion. He was employed by E.I. DuPont de Nemours, Wilmington, Del. until 1963 as a Technical Representative then moved to Pennsylvania to become Vice President of Research & Development for the former H. Warshow & Sons of Montoursville and Milton, Pa. and Tappahannock, Va. from which he retired in 1991. Dick was a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church for 44 years and since moving to State College was a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church.

A mass honoring Dick's life will be held at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church on Saturday, Oct., 3, 2009 at 10:30 AM with Monsignor David Lockard officiating. Flowers will be provided by the family. Contributions may be made in his memory to the American Heart Association , 501 Howard Ave., Building D, Suite 101, Altoona, PA 16601, Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church,820 Westerly Parkway, State College, PA 16801, or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, ATTN: Tribute Gifts, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 780, New York, NY 10008-0780, if so desired. Arrangements are under the direction of Koch Funeral Home.