Richard D Pawlus Sr

Richard (Dick) Pawlus, 76, of Fort Pierce, Fla., died Jan. 5, 2017, at home surrounded by his wife of 50 years, Mary (Mimi); his daughter, Theresa Pawlus of Jensen Beach; and his sister-in-law, Margaret (Peggy) Reese of Stuart.

Dick was born in Albany and was schooled in Voorheesville, New York. He was an Air Force veteran of the Korean War. After service, he returned to Albany, where he started his working career as a journeyman mason. He was a workaholic and had a long list of careers including owning-operating a waste management company and a restaurant in Albany.

He and his family moved to Amsterdam, New York, where he had a cell tower and he operated a cable company in Plattsburgh. Dick loved farming and had a dairy farm, everyone could hear him whistling while he cut and bailed hay. He also owned-operated several tanning salons.

He and his family moved to Fort Pierce, Florida in 1987.

Dick went back to working as a mason, building the Fort Pierce Police Department, Sears at Treasure Coast Mall among other buildings. He was CEO of cable companies in Sebastian, Zephryhills and Valdosta, Georgia.

Dick was a longtime member of the Lions Club and served as president in Sebastian, Port St. Lucie and Fort

Pierce Clubs. He was awarded the Melvin Jones, the highest honor in Lionism.

He is survived by his wife; daughter and son, Richard Jr., two grandsons, Bryan and Bradley Pawlus and a great-grandaughter, Kendra Pawlus, all of Amsterdam, New York; sisters, Anna Bunk of Lake Helen, Fla., Bernice Barron of Gansevoort, NY, Alice Spinelli of Greenville, NY; brother, Joseph Pawlus of East Berne, NY; Arlene Yattaw of Corinth NY, Julie Murphy of Easley, SC.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Jennie and father, Walter; also brothers, Walter and Arthur Pawlus.

Many fond memories include family gatherings and storytelling.

Services will be Thursday, Jan. 12, at Aycock Funeral Home, 6026 North US 1, Fort Pierce, Florida from 10 a.m. to noon followed by a celebration of life.

Many thanks for the support of Hospice during his final days.

Contributions may be made to the Lions Club of Fort Pierce or Hospice of St. Lucie County.

Arrangements under the direction of Aycock Funeral Home, Fort Pierce, FL.