Richard F. Rea

Richard Franklin Rea, age 72, of Whitmore Lake, MI. passed away quietly on February 1, 2013. First son of Frank and Dolores (Baltar) Rea of Detroit, MI. and big brother to surviving siblings Rosemary Murray (Bill) and Robert (Janet).

Beloved father of Richard (Denise), Robert, Michael, Anita Spooner (Chip), Jeanie (Robert), Franklyn, Patti Hourani (Adnan), Amy Wilkerson (Terry) and A.J.

Grandfather to 17 wonderful grandchildren: Justin, Carey, Cassie, Cyler, Sarah, Sammie, Angela, Alex, Leah, Brooke, Paige, Jonah, Tamer, Tyler, Chris, Joshua, and Hally, and 3 great grandchildren: Dalton, Serenity, and Naia.

Richard was born and raised in East Detroit. He loved spending summers on his grandparents Hally and Rose Roberts’ farm in Springfield, Illinois where his love of farming and animals started. Richard met Patricia Baciorowski, whom he married in 1962. He enlisted in the Army and was stationed at Hickam Field in Oahu, Hawaii, where his first three sons were born.

Once back in Michigan, Richard and Pat continued to grow their family with the addition of four daughters. They also had another son, which they lost as an infant. Their small family farm in Whitmore Lake was as much work as it was a joy. Richard’s happiest moments were driving his 1953 Golden Jubilee tractor; playing cards; entertaining friends; hunting and fishing; and watching his children working the soil, chasing the chickens, pigs, ducks, geese, horses, and cows.

Richard had many business ventures, starting with Dexter Carpet in Detroit, then in Hamburg, MI. After the carpet business, he turned his boyhood hobby of stamp and coin collecting into his first philatelist and numismatist venture and opened the Money Mint, then Jones Coin & Stamp Supply, followed lastly by Richard F. Rea, Inc. In 1994, Richard married his second wife, Wendy Casper, mother of his 9th child, Andrew John (A.J.).

Richard’s many businesses introduced him to lifelong friends and many adventures. After years of extended illnesses, Richard passed away quietly at Bortz Heathcare Center in Ypsilanti, surrounded by his children’s love, and at peace. Richard was a fighter to the very end, always beating the odds. His smile, humor, sarcasm and wit, and his words of wisdom, will be missed by all who knew him. May he rest in peace.