Donald W. Richard, 92, of Grand Island, passed away peacefully Sept. 10, 2017, in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he resided for the past five years.
Donald was a devout family man. He was the beloved husband of the late Sally (née Tripi) Richard; loving father of Sally Ann (late Tim) Houck of Gleason, Tennessee, and Mary Ellen (Ron) Gerst of Redington Shores, Florida; a dedicated grandfather of Tim (Laura) Houck, Kristie (Robert) Cluck, Brian (Kerrie) and Kevin Houck. He is survived by eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. He was the brother of Warren Richard, Margorie Glogowski, Norman (Shirley) Richard and the late Dolly Thompson and Shirley Smith and several nieces and nephews.
Donald was a World War II veteran and served in the Navy from 1941-43 on the aircraft carrier USS Langley (CVL-27). The ship's battles were fought in the Pacific Theater. He served as historian for the Langley Navy reunions for several years. Donald was a dedicated and proud veteran and became a member of the Honor Guard for the Grand Island Charles N. DeGlopper Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 9249.
The family will be present Wednesday, Sept. 20, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Dengler, Roberts, Perna Funeral Home, 3070 Delaware Ave., Kenmore. Funeral service will be held Thursday, Sept. 21, at the Cornerstone Church (formerly Whitehaven Road Baptist), 1290 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island. Please assemble at the church.
