Eulogy read for my father:Hello. Thank you for being here today with our family and with my father Richard to celebrate his 83 ½ years of life. If all of us were to describe my dad with one word I believe we would hear words like gentle, thoughtful, caring, lovable, humble, giving, kind. He was always coolheaded, upbeat and wanting to help out... anyone. Dad was always wanting to lend a hand and would drop everything to do it, no matter what it was, no matter who it was, he was there.  Being the only daughter among my 4 brothers (Tony, Tommy, Mark and Luis) gave me a certain advantage when it came to my dad. I think I was given the opportunity to see him in a slightly different light than the boys. I got to see the softer, more vulnerable side of dad. Sometimes he even shared his fears and worries with me. The boys got to see the more tenacious and stoic side of him. The strong, brave and unbreakable man we all know him to be. Dad loved having lunch with his friends at Uncle Al's each Friday. He has not missed a Friday lunch in years. No matter what was going on in his life at that time he was focused on getting to lunch with his friends that Friday. Even on the off Fridays like the day after Thanksgiving or Christmas he was wondering if anyone would go. He loved that day and he loved to wear his red t-shirt - honoring the military. Dad reluctantly agreed to get a computer sometime between 2005 and 2008. Once he figured out where the letters were and how to navigate around it, there was not a day that went by that he did not check and forward his emails, go to his myspace account and then ultimately to his very active Facebook page. If he wasn't seen on Facebook posting and sharing things a few times a day, there had to be something really big happening. Dad gave regularly to many organizations such as the Disabled American Vets, USO, Blinded Veterans Associations, Operation Homefront, and Wounded Warrier Project. He always said they needed it more than he did and that if he could afford it he was going to do it. He was always giving and never expected a thing in return. Some of the things dad loved dearly were his family, the Miami Dolphins, the Miami Hurricanes, Mom's meatloaf, Grandma's paella, monthly calls with Lucy, Joy's pies, Candice's soup, Friday lunches at Uncle Al's, the FL Gators losing, the Seminoles winning, watching football with Tommy, going out to dinner with Tony, talking with Mark on the phone, catching up with Luis, Applebees, Scruby's, Dirty Ernies, playing the lottery, the military, hearing from long lost friends, unexpected visitors, any type of family or friend gathering, phone calls from anyone, his DVR, his email, his Facebook. I truly have never known anyone so dedicated. My dad would visit his parents' graveside every holiday, every mothers' day, every fathers' day, every Easter, every Christmas. He never missed a date with them. I remember countless times my brothers and I going with him to bring flowers. He always had the water container in the trunk ready to fill the flower vase. We would stop at the same flower stand for years and years. Now we get to continue that same tradition in his honor.I feel like if anyone deserves a front row seat in heaven it is my dad. He just really touched people's hearts. I know each of us have our own fond memories of him. The phone calls we have received, the cards and letters, reading the on-line messages and posts about him only confirms the fact that he was one of the good guys. The kind of guy you just want to be around. The kind of guy we should all be more like. Some of my most memorable times with my dad were during the weeks leading up to my wedding and the week of my wedding. He helped in countless ways to plan and organize it. We gave him all sorts of tasks and he was thrilled to do them all and then some, no complaints and no questions. Being able to have him walk me down the aisle was very much an honor. I know he was as proud of me as I was of him. Another time was when he first put his eyes on my son Rylan and got to hold him. It melted my heart and I know it was love at first sight for them both. My dad was very wealthy. Not in the sense that he took fancy vacations or traveled the world. But in the sense of family and love and friendships. It is not often you will come across an 80 something year old with so many loving and lasting friendships. Dad was special. Dad is loving this party right now. All of us here just for him. How lucky was he to have all of you to care so deeply for him. He sees how beautiful this service is. And even though we all miss him dearly - he is smiling and content. He is now at peace resting and will continue to watch over each and every one of us as he always has in his own special way. He is where he always dreamed he'd end up when his time here was over... with his mom and dad, with Mark, with Uncle Joe, with Faye and Augie. One day we will all be together again. Thank you for loving my father and thank you for allowing him to spread joy and happiness into all of our lives. He was and will always be one of my very favorites. I am very proud to be his daughter.

Our friendship goes back a very long time and even longer with Bob, it has been a good one. You will be missed by your BELL Family and your place of honor at Uncle Al's will always be remembered as "Rich's Chair. Peace Be With You Friend. Connie

Albert Galiana et Philippe Galiana adressent leurs plus sincères condoléances à la proche famille de notre cousin d'outre-atlantique

" If you always do, What you've always done, You always be, Where you've always been."" Just do it!" "keep on trucking" These are a few of your many saying and they will stay with me forever.Thank you for changing my life. Thank your love and kindness. Thank you for being like family to us. You and your family have a piece of our hearts forever.May the love you given continue to grow and wrap around your family during the sadness of your loss. Rest in Peace Richard. You were truly an Angel on earth.Love," Tank" and the " Iron Lady" Aka Angelina and Jordan ❤️

OBITUARY

Richard Victor Galiana

January 30, 1933 – November 1, 2016

Fred Hunter's Funeral Home & Fred Hunter's Hollywood Memorial Gardens

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