Richard James Dempsey

Richard James “Jack” Dempsey passed away on Thursday, April 12, 2012 at the age of 92. He was born in New Orleans, La. On August 12, 1919 to Richard Dempsey and Margaret McElroy. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 55 years, Martha Torisky Dempsey, his sisters Margaret Sherry and Josephine Allen, and his brothers John and Joseph Dempsey.

He grew up in the Irish Channel, graduated from Fortier High School, and attended LSU, majoring in journalism. He was elected President of the College of Arts and Sciences before enlisting in the U.S. Navy at the start of WWII, serving in the Pacific aboard the USS Julius Raven. It was during the war that he met his wife, Martha Torisky, a Navy nurse, and they were married in 1949.He joined the U.S. Navy Reserve as a journalist chief for 20 years.

He was a veteran police reporter for the New Orleans States-Item for 40 years and received the New Orleans Press Club trophy for the best news story of 1958. He also served as a newscaster on radio station WTPS, and was an official announcer for the LA State Athletic Commission. In addition, he worked part time as the announcer for stage acts on the midway at Pontchartrain Beach, and in the Press Box at the New Orleans Fairgrounds after his retirement.

He was a charter member of the Press Club of New Orleans, serving as President from 1970-1972. He was a past commander of the La Pelican Post 7586, Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a member of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Holy Name Society and Ushers Society. He was a founding member and the first Grand Marshall of the Irish Channel St. Patrick’s Day parade in 1947. He and his friends proudly marched in the Krewe of Joe’s Jungle parade for many years, to the delight of Sugar Bowl and Super Bowl visitors.

He moved to Lacombe, LA. after his retirement in 1981, and became active in the VFW Post 8290, the Marine Corps League, and the Senior Citizen’s Club. He loved to go fishing and never missed a crab or crawfish boil, party, parade or good time. He never met a stranger, and his favorite line was “Anybody don’t like life is crazy”!

He is survived by his children, Colleen Carmichael (Randy) of Slidell, LA, Richard A. Dempsey (Carol) of River Ridge, LA, Patrick M. Dempsey, Sr. (Nancy) of Lacombe, LA, and Katherine DelGrande (Rich) of Sewickley, PA, grandchildren Shay C. Bostick (Allen), Mathew Carmichael, LCpl Scott Carmichael, USMC, Richard S. Dempsey, Patrick M. Dempsey,Jr., Nicole Trahant (Ryan), Maria DelGrande, and Andrea DelGrande, great-grandchildren Brayden, Declan and Greta Bostick, and Lundin and Kali Trahant, as well as a brother , Donald Hayes and sister, Mary Louise Hayes, godchild, Beverly Martin, as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staffs of St. Joseph’s Hospice in Slidell, Azalea Estates and Live Oak Village for their caring service to Dad.

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend a visitation at Sacred Heart Church, 28088 Main St., Lacombe, LA from 11:30-12:30 on Saturday, April 14, 2012, followed by a Mass of Christian burial. Internment at Toomer Cemetery. Please sign the guestbook at www.schoencanalstreet.com.

Arrangements under the direction of Jacob Schoen and Son Funeral Home, 3827 Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana Tel: 504-482-2111