Richard Beale

Born in Newark, NJ, Dick was a proud veteran of the United States Navy, serving 4 years as an Electrician’s Mate First Class aboard the USS Perry DD 844 on tours in the Mediterranean and Western Caribbean.

In 1967, he married his wife, Ann, and resided in Livingston and later Sandyston, NJ. He was a NJ state licensed electrician and also employed as an elevator mechanic for the City of Newark Housing Authority. Over the years, while at Housing, he wore many hats—from Electrical Foreman, Superintendent, Chief of Construction, and retiring after 25 years as the Director of Redevelopment and Modernization, responsible for a budget of 50 million dollars in state and federal funding.

While at Newark Housing, he became a proud organized member of Local 52/164 IBEW. So, after he retired from Housing and left behind the headaches of bureaucratic red tape, he put his tool pouch back on and went to work out of the union hall as a journeyman electrician.

Dick loved America and the bedrock ideals of giving back and civic duty. He was a member of the West Orange Elks Lodge 1590 and the Lodges Exalted Ruler during their 100-year anniversary. He organized many hoop shoots, charitable events, and parties for them.

He also loved his Irish heritage. His father, Thomas, was a plank member of the Brian Boru Pipe Band, the first bagpipe band in New Jersey. When Dick turned 50, he said he regretted not following in his dad‘s footsteps. He decided to bring his son, Brian, to the Shillelagh Pipe Band in West Orange to learn to play the snare drum, just like his grandfather. By about the fourth week of band practice, Dick had a set of tenor drumsticks in his hand and became a tenor drummer himself.

He became the band’s quartermaster, band manager, and tenor drum instructor for over 15 years. He truly loved marching in all the parades—from 4th of July to the Elks Convention and all the Irish festivals—but most of all, he loved the month of St. Patrick’s Day and continuing the legacy of his dad with his son, Brian.

He was a parishioner of Our Lady Queen of Peace in Branchville, NJ, and later at Our Saviour Catholic Church in Cocoa Beach, FL, volunteering at both parishes his electrical expertise setting up booths during their carnivals. Dick enjoyed golfing with his friends in New Jersey, especially golf weekends in PA with Billy, Kenny, and Gerry. He also loved bass fishing at his cherished lake house on Deer Lake in Stokes State Forest, where he spent his summers grilling chicken and entertaining friends and family.

After full retirement, he and his wife, Ann, became snowbirds in Cocoa Beach, Florida, eventually settling in Cape Canaveral for the last 20 years. He continued to golf and fish—though this time, fishing saltwater for reds and blues with his brother-in-law, Rodney. The fish fries and friendship they shared were stuff of legend.

In 2012, through God’s grace, Richard was blessed with the reunification between himself and his two sons, Rick and Tom, from a previous marriage, and they, with their families, continued to be a part of his life till the end.

Dick will be forever loved and missed by all who knew him.

He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Mary and Thomas Beale, and his brothers, Thomas, Royland, Raymond, and Robert. Richard is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Ann (nee Padden), and their son Brian, his wife, Liz, and their daughter, Bonnie. He is also survived by his two sons: Rick Moore, his wife, Karee, and daughters, Jamie and Shari; Tom Moore, his wife, Amy, and their children, Kelly, Jason, and Joey— and also 8 great-grandchildren.

Visitation is at Wylie Baxley Funeral Home, 1360 N. Courtenay Pkwy, Merritt Island, FL, from 3–5 PM on July 29th, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial on July 30th at Our Saviour Catholic Church, 5301 N. Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 at 10:30 AM, with interment at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery at 1:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Alz.org.

In closing, the family would like to publicly acknowledge Richard’s hospice team: Devyn (RN), Avlene, Jenn, Chaplain Catie, Alyson, and Linda from Mederi Care Tenders Hospice.

We are eternally grateful for your care and support over the last year.

May God bless you all.