Richard Joseph Vesely

Richard J. Vesely was born in Chicago in 1934 to parents Joseph and Vlasta Vesely. Richard grew up in Cicero Illinois where he was active in the boy scouts and local social clubs. He attended Proviso Highschool until 1952 and joined the U.S Navy in 1953. After entering the Navy, he attended builder’s school, studied hard and ended up graduating second in his class. Because he was one of the top three students in his class; the Navy let him pick his duty station. Richard ended up choosing Bermuda as his duty station and served his time in the U.S Navy as a Seabee stationed in Bermuda from 1954-1956.

While stationed in Bermuda; he would attend a local church meeting called “Youth for Christ” where he eventually would meet his wife, Hilda Vesely. Richard and Hilda married in 1956 and soon after Richard was deployed to Morrocco for one year. After returning from Morrocco, he was honorably discharged from the U.S Navy in 1957. After leaving the Navy, Richard and Hilda moved to Rhode Island where he attended Barrington College for two years.

After attending Barrington college for two years; Richard decided to pursue a degree in Archeology and Hebrew studies at Columbia University in New York City. After studying and working in New York for two years; Richard and Hilda would have their first child Karen. Richard then decided to end his studies at Columbia University and move back to Bermuda to take over management of his wife’s family’s restaurant “The Paraquet” located in Paget where he would work for a decade.

While he was living in Bermuda; he was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman. Richard and Hilda would have their second child Rick while they were living in Bermuda. In the early 1970’s Richard moved his family to Fort Myers Florida where he would pursue a new career path in construction of steel buildings. From the early 70’s to the late 80’s Richard owned and operated a steel building company. Richard would then go on to open up a marine parts supply store and operate that store until the early 2000’s until he retired.

During his retirement he enjoyed traveling the world and seeing historical landmarks. He also enjoyed fishing, carpentry and reading in his spare time. Richard was a long-time member of a couple local churches. During his time at both Churches, he would enjoy teaching Sunday School class and spreading the Word of God to others.

Richard died peacefully surrounded by his loved ones and returned to the Lord on January 2nd 2024. He is survived by his Wife Hilda, Sister Arlene, Daughter Karen and Her husband Rudy, Son Rick and his wife Donna and Grandson Nathan. His memorial service will be held at First Christian Church of Cape Coral located at 2620 Country Club Blvd, Cape Coral, FL 33904 on Saturday February 3rd at 11:00 A.M. His internment service for immediate family will follow at the Coral Ridge Cemetery at 1:30 P.M. This obituary will be closed with a Bible verse, which had a profound effect on the way he lived his life:

“7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

- Second Timothy 4:7-8