My Uncle Richie! I will always remember saying "Grandpa, Uncle Richie is picking on me" .  I've been trying to find him for years. Sadly I just found this tonight. Rest in Love Uncle Richie

When Uncle Richie passed away I knew I wanted to say something at his service but I didn't quite know which direction to go with it.  Then the song Landslide by Fleetwood Mac came on the radio and inspired me.  The song is about dealing with difficult changes.  I know I can only speak for myself, but I don't think any of us really pictured a time where Uncle Richie wouldn't be around.  I mean was the man ever sick a day in his life?  I'm honestly asking because he was always there with a 7-Up, in a cutoff Bulls sweatshirt.   Uncle Richie was kind.  The honest kind of kind where he didn't care if anyone noticed.  Whether he was moving people's cars, have a serious conversation with Vivian or making sure Aunt Cheryl was okay-even after they bickered and he was still kind of ticked off.  I remember countless times, walking past him sitting on the couch and he'd quietly say, Go see if Aunt Cheryl needs anything, will ya?  He loved her more than any of us knew, I'd bet my life on it.  He loved cars, sports and lifting weights.  But he also rescued dogs.  Loved his wife and made all of us kids feel like what we had to say way important.   Uncle Richie, we Love You.  You were truly one of a kind and you'll be missed.

Love 
Emily

I was fortunate enough to have Uncle Richie in my life for almost 20 years.  All of the wonderful family memories that I have I hold close to my heart would be incomplete without him.  Uncle Richie discovered early on that getting my full attention was almost impossible to accomplish.  One day many years ago Uncle Richie called out to me and said Rachael, Rachael, Rachael  This instantly got my attention.  After that saying Rachael Rachael Rachael  it kind of became a family tradition and is still used almost two decades later to get my attention.  I will always be able to hear his voice in my head repeating my name over and over again and I can't help but smile.  Something I truly admired about Uncle Richie was his relationship with my Aunt Cheryl.  They shared 48 wonderful years together as husband and wife.  Even with Aunt Cheryl's struggles he stood by her in sickness and in health.  He supported her, he was her Rock. Uncle Richie was a wonderful man and he watched my Dad, Aunt and Uncles grow up.  He was always there to help my Grandma Linda and he was a huge part of our family.

Love 
Rachael Rachael Rachael

YOU WERE TAKEN FROM ME SO QUICK AND TOO SOON.  BUT YOUR ONLY GONE FROM MY SIGHT NOT MY HEART.

WE MET WHEN I WAS 15 AND YOU ASKED ME TO GO STEADY ON APRIL 17, 1964 SO WE'VE BEEN TOGETHER ALMOST 53 YEARS AND WOULD HAVE BEEN MARRIED 49 YEARS THIS COMING MAY.

WE SHARED LOTS OF GOOD FUN TIMES AND ALSO SOME NOT SUCH GOOD TIMES OVER THE YEARS.  BUT WE MANAGED TO OVERCOME WHATEVER CAME OUR WAY.   WORK IT OUT AND STAY TOGETHER.

IF I HAD TO DISCRIBE YOU I'D SAY YOU WERE AN EASY GOING PERSON.  NEVER WANTED OR ASKED FOR MUCH.  YOU NEVER COMPLAINED YOU WOULD JUST GO WITH THE FLOW.  YOU WERE LOYAL TO YOUR FAMILY AND DO WHATEVER WAS ASKED OF YOU.

YOU TOOK SUCH GOOD CARE OF ME ALL THESE YEARS THROUGH ALL MY ILLINESS AND SURGERIES.  PUTTING ME FIRST AND I'M FOREVER GREATFUL.  

THIS PAST YEAR OR SO I'VE NOTICED YOU SEEMED TO BE SLOWING DOWN BUT FIGURED IT WAS JUST  AGE CATCHING UP
BUT THE PAST MONTH AND A HALF I COULD TELL YOU DIDN'T FEEL WELL.  BUT NEVER EXPECTD THE BAD NEWS WE WOULD RECEIVED ON JANUARY 18TH .  BUT YOU HANDELED THAT WITH SUCH COURAGE AND NEVER COMPLAINED FOUGHT AS HARD AS YOU COULD BUT YOU DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE.

AT THE END YOU SAID YOU WANTED AND HAD TO LEAVE THAT YOU WEREN'T AFRAID.  EXPRESSED YOUR LOVE FOR ME SEVERAL TIMES.  YOU WANTED TO GO AND YOU WEREN'T IN PAIN

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DID FOR ME  FOR BEING A GREAT HUSBAND AND FRIEND .

I LOVE YOU AND THERE WON'T BE A DAY THAT I WON'T  MISS AND THINK OF YOU.
I'M HOLDING  ON TO THE FACT THE WE WILL BE TOGETHER AGAIN AND HOPE YOU'LL BE THERE WAITING FOR ME WITH THE BIG SMILE OF YOUR.

LOVE YOU FOREVER AND ALWAYS
CHERYL

Uncle Richie


My aunt and uncle never had children of their own, which is why us nephews and neices, I believe have a special bond with Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Richie, We grew up with them both in our lives. So we were not only lucky to have one set of parents, but two. They both were always there when we needed them, we relied on them as if they were are parents. 

I also remember when we were little that we would spend the night at Uncle Richie and Aunt Cheryl's house. They would take us to the store and we got to spend a few dollars to buy a toy or a game, so that we would have something to do.  I remember looking forward to this.  I also remember that when we spent the night that they would entertain us by doing stuff that we wanted to do. That is one of the fondest memories I have. 

Another thing is that Uncle Richie and Aunt Cheryl were always together, it's like if you saw one of them, the other was close behind. They shared their lives with each other and with us. They were married for 48 years,,, that's almost unheard of nowadays

I remember bits and pieces from my childhood that stick out when I think about Uncle Richie. I remember times when I was little that he worked with my dad at my dad's machine shop. I can still vividly remember uncle Richie running the grinding machine.  Not sure why that memory sticks out in my mind because I know he worked with other machines, but the grinder is what I remember. Uncle Richie was a machinist and a very good one at that. I can also remember that he seemed to enjoy his profession. He was also very proud of his ability to create items through his skill set.

I also remember when we were little and we always got together as a family for holidays, and that we would play ping pong and play pool in grandma and grandpas basement. This was a family ritual. I also do recall that Uncle Richie was the guy to beat; he was the best at ping pong. and he knew it. 

I also have a memory of uncle Richie in grandma and grandpas living room doing pushups, not ordinary pushups, but ones where you stretch out your arms in front of you almost like your flying, like a superman pose and then you lift your entire body up off the ground and hold it there..  Now let me tell you all something, that was impressive, no one else could do that, at least not in our family.

Another memory I have is from Christmas, we had this award, called the Horses (blank)Award. I can remember this from when I was a little kid and remember that I thought it was so Kool if you won it Little did I know it was kind of the Funny, you Did Something Kinda Crazy Stuff Award... I also remember that Uncle Richie would vote for the same person every year, which is kind of funny in itself Now I know who he always voted for and some of you might know as well  But I promise not to tell... My lips are sealed, but we will see if there's any offering out there to get me to speak

I would like to sum up my thoughts of Uncle Richie. He married his one and only True Love, Aunt Cheryl, they lived a lifetime together. 

He was a hard worker. He loved us all and helped those who needed help.  

I loved him and will miss him. 


Love,
Rick, Natalie, Holly, Hannah, Ricky and Haley......

My deepest sympathy to you and your family for the loss of Ritchie. This is Barbie Jean(Sharples)James oldest daughter Christine James.I hope you find comfort in all the wonderful memories you shared with him.He will be missed.

Cheryl, we send you strength and peace.

Touky, Lon and family

Dear Cheryl,
I'm saddened to hear of Uncle Ritchie being gone.  He was a good man. 
Look forward to seeing you albeit under these circumstances.

I am so sorry to hear about your loss.  My mom was Barbie Jean (Sharples) James.  She just passed away in October of 2016 so I fully understand what you're going through.  My mom liked "Richie May."

Cheryl im so sorry for your loss Richie was a good man and will be missed dearly. I still have that fond memory of being your guys ring bearer at your wedding. Gloria and I will keep you in are prayers.

It is with sadness I write this. I have not seen you in many many years. I have thoyght about you and Uncle Richie many times. I always remember saying "grandpa, uncle Richie is picking on me"

I pray at this time you will be comforted. 

In case you are confused, I am the oldest of Patricia McEneely's twins.

Cheryl, my mom and I have been so blessed to have had you and your dear family in our lives. We are so very sorry for your loss.Richie was a ray of sunshine always smilingly and ready to offer a helping hand. What will this world do without him?

Cheryl,I'm so sorry for your loss, Ritchie was a good man. Take care.       Tom cieslowski

Cheryl, I am so sorry. I prayer for you and your family to find peace. I don't even have words to tell you the sorrow I feel. Much love, 
Maureen

OBITUARY

Richard J. May

August 3, 1946 – February 9, 2017

Chapel Hill Gardens West Funeral Home & Cemetery

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