'Dear Papa, We love you, we miss you. We think of you and pray for you every day. Today, February 19,2013 would have been your 85th birthday and we especially remember all the wonderful birthdays we have celebrated together with you. On this date, the family was brought together again as you so loved, to remember you in prayer and also to enjoy your favorite cake and Neapolitan Ice cream. Love Lawrence, Sandra, Matthew, Rebecca, and Andrew.'

'William, 
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. May his memories fill your hearts always.

'My deepest sympathy to your family. May God touch you with great memories, peace and comfort.'

'William, 
My sincerest condolences for the loss of your father. My thoughts are with you and your family. May he rest in peace.'

'I wish I had known about the services as I would have gone. I remember him fondly. He reminded me of my dad. I remember his leadership in Troop 445. He will be missed greatly.'

'Papa, 
You were the best grandpa anyone in the world could ever ask for. Words cannot even describe the kind of wonderful person you were. We all miss you and we all love you so much! It is hard letting go, but I know you are in heaven looking down on us, so may you now rest in peace. I love you so very much.

'Please convey my condolences to all of Richard's family.'

'I am so sorry for your loss. A wonderful man, wonderful family. God bless you in your grief.'

'Good evening, thank you for coming to pay tribute to my father this evening. 
Tonight I would like to tell you some stories about my Dad. 
When I was two years old, I received what would be the first of four little brothers (Rick, John, Lawrence, and William). Apparently, I was a real mommas girl. My dad travelled a lot and I only wanted my mom to do things for me but she obviously had her hands full. The story goes that my dad declared Im your daddy and youre going to have to learn to like me and let me do things for you. And of course as they say,that is the rest of the story. I did not share his hunting expeditions to the ranch or spend time smoking his treasured cigars, but as his only girl, I did have a very special relationship with my dad;moments holding his hand, the hugs and kisses that I thought were just for me, the father-daughter dances, and the soft praise he always wrote on those wonderful birthday cards. I also learned many things from my dad. I learned how to be a gentle and loving parent to my children, and a kind and patient spouse to my husband. I learned that it is important to always keep your wit and sense of humor with you even to the very end and that how you meet the challenges life gives you is important because those are the things that truly define us. 
I would like to tell you a special story now about an event that our family will always remember. 
About 10 years ago, Dad came up with the idea for an Easter Olympics. All the grandkids were very excited; they would be divided into 3 teams (although according to Sarah, Rebecca and Cathrin not very evenly divided). They would play Bocce ball, pitch horseshoes, and shoot the BB gun. Each member of the team would take a turn at each event and they would accumulate points. It was all true to the Olympic Spirit with the official music playing in the background and even a procession of athletes. However, the one thing that has come to define that whole afternoon was a phrase that Dad originated: 
 There are no winners and there no losers, but somebodys got to win and somebodys got to lose. 
I know that each one of us would say that we are all really winners for having had our lives enriched by my Dad! 
I would like to close with a quote that has special meaning for me when I think of my dad: 
 Speak tenderly to them. Let there be kindness in your face, in your eyes, in your smile, in the warmth of your greeting. Always have a cheerful smile. Dont only give your care, but give your heart as well. 
 ~Mother Teresa 
I Love You Dad 
Laure'

'Dear John, Rick, Laure, Lawrence and William,

'Dear John, Aaron, Cathrin, Mary Shannon, Stephanie, Sarah, Nick, Matthew, Rebecca and Andrew,

'Id like to share some of my reflections and tell you a few things about my Dad today.

'Dear Dad, 
I first met you when you were just 28 years old you were a little blurry but I liked what I saw. Your life had long since changed from a carefree bachelor to a devoted father of three. I never saw you showing off on the diving board, or driving your brothers motor boat or your convertible but I caught glimpses of who you were by the things that you had tucked away in the back corners of your workshop things like your photography equipment, and your golf clubs. Somehow I knew early on that you would be worth keeping an eye on.

'Great men deserve great things said about them. Great men do not need to hear great things about themselves near as much as we need to say them. But we do need to say them and more than once. Richard V. Di Filippo Sr. was a great man. Fortunately for me we saw each other almost everyday and we spoke often. We knew how we felt about each other and we told each other so. I will continue to talk to him every day. Only this time I will have to listen even that much more intently. I wrote him a letter to tell him one more time how great he was and how much I love him. For those of you who knew him well, I hope my letter reaffirms what you already know. For others, I hope it enlightens you to the wonderful person he was. It begins

'I am so sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed Richard. He was a kind and gentle man. Dad always thought so highly of him and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time.'

'Good evening, another Friday night with Nana and Papa. This time though, our Friday visit has a more somber tone. My familys Friday night visits began some 20 years ago and now according to Mary Shannon, they are a tradition. They actually started with me loading up the kids and just getting them out of the house so that Debbie could have some time to clean the house. I would strap everyone in their car seats and head over to Teka Molina for a bite to eat and then on to Nana and Papas. No Teka tonight, but surely sometime this weekend. 
This makes 3 friends now that I have lost to cancer. Yes my Dad was also my friend. We hunted and fished and worked together as friends do. He continued to be my father and as such did not always agree with my decisions, but we were also friends. My 1st loss was in 2001, John Carmody. We shared a love of the outdoors; something gifted me by my Dad. Last July 2012, I lost another friend, Bob Scott. Bob and I are part of a Tuesday evening group that meets at an area caf to discuss the upcoming Sunday readings, and sometimes anything else that might need a comment. Tonight, I lose my 3rd friend. They all had 3 qualities that I have grown to admire and hope to emulate and carry with me. They all were men of Confidence, Character and a Committed faith. 
On occasion, when I am called to speak as a part of a program with one of the service groups to which I belong, I speak on these 3 traits. I try to incorporate them into my talks and I like them because they form a very stable platform from which to conduct our daily lives. I learned these 3 qualities of Confidence, Character and Commitment from my Dad. I learned to appreciate them during my time with John Carmody and I was strengthened watching Bob Scott live them daily as I also watched him lose his battle to cancer. 
Christ gave us the example of these 3 valuable traits. He lived these values everyday in everyway. He had the Confidence to take the world on His shoulders at 30 and ask us to follow Him. He had Character and purity of thought and action as He showed us how to live daily. He had the Commitment to die for us. 
Papa gifted these traits to me early and I will always be grateful. He had the Confidence to fill the void in his family as he accepted the role of sole surviving son when his brother John was lost in the Pacific as a pilot in WWII. He had the Confidence to join his father in business and now has seen that business extended to his sons and grandsons. He had Character to balance him as he showed us how to live a life framed on a solid foundation of strong moral values. He showed us Commitment, to his family and wife of 60 years, to his business and industry and to his church. He showed us quiet service 
Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God. Matthew 5 vs 8 
Thank you Dad, for the gift of you. 
Your son 
Rick'

'Sorry for your loss. Richard was a good friend and competitor and will be missed.'

'Laure, 
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. 
With much love, 
Marsha Silva'

'see you soon !!! your pal 
big john !!!!!'

'Richard D. Filippo, husband, father, grandfather, left an amazing legacy behind which was evident by any time spent with his children or grandchildren. Thank God for men like him.'

'What a wonderful legacy Mr. Di Filippo leaves. May he rest in peace.'

'William, 
Our deepest condolences to you and your family. We are praying for your family to find peace.

'I had the pleasure of knowing and working for Richard many years.He truly was a kind and inspirational person. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. He will truly will be missed.'

'Our sincere condolences to Mary Jo and family from all of us at O.A. Bertin. I have known Richard for many years...a real good friend and a gentleman. He had to be to put up with me all those years! Lenore and I will keep you in our prayers.'

'My Deepest sympathy to you Mary Jo and Boys. I will keep Richard and all of you in my prayers. My thoughts are with you at this time. Your friend, John Podivin, Czech Republic'

'To the Di Filippo family , I would like to give my condolences and prayers . Richard defitnetly touched my life not just as my boss but also a mentor who showed me valuable life lessons . He was one of a kind and he will be missed.'

'Dear Mary Jo and family, 
 Please accept my deepest sympathy upon the death of Richard. The Sisters at Our Lady of the Lake retirement center join me in praying for him and for all of you at this hard time. 
 Lovingly in God's Providence, 
 Sister Mary Christine'

'A dear friend, kind & loving. We know he will be missed.'

'Mary Jo my prayers are with you and your family 
Loretta Nunn'

'He was a very good man and someone that I looked up to through my scouting years and beyond. He was always kind and supportive to me in anything that I asked of him. I know that he is at peace and in the company of God.'

'Mary Jo and family, 
Our deepest sympathies to all of you for the loss of Richard. Blessings of peace and understanding to you all. Blessings of a joyous arrival of Richard into the Lord's Kingdom!'

'Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.

'Condolences on the loss of a real gentleman, good member of CCIS and, most certainly, a beloved family member.

'At Eucharistic Adoration tonight I offered my hour for Mr. D and the family. I recall coming over to the house for Ad Altare Dei classes as a Boy Scout years ago. Blessings and peace to you.'

'God of faithfulness, in Your wisdom You have called Your servant Richard out of this world; release him from the bonds of sin, and welcome him into Your Presence, so the he may enjoy eternal light and peace and be raised up in glory with all Your saints. Amen.'

'Although the opposite is happening on earth due to Mr. DiFilippo's passing, the general level of levity in heaven jumped up this week. Mr. D was always gracious, fun, and living "right". He set a fine standard for all of us, and we miss him. I am sorry we cannot be there with his family this weekend to honor his life, but we do so long-distance in spirit. Lots of love to all, 
Richard'

'We consider ourselves very lucky and thank the Lord for having such a great man like Richard in our lives he will be missed dearly our prayers are with the family. GOD BLESS YALL'

'Richard was a very kind and loving man. He will remain in our hearts aways. May God wrap the family in His loving arms and guide them through this time of sorrow.'

'We consider ourselves very lucky and thank the Lord for Richard being part of our lives he will be missed dearly our hearts and prayers go out to the family GOD BLESS You all'

'Hi Rick and John, 
Unfortunately we will not be able to attend your father's service. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. Your father leaves a legacy all can be proud of and he will live on in the hearts of all who loved and honored him. 
Warmest Regards, Mary Ellen'

'isaiah 43:1 ....."Neboj se, j jsem t vykoupil, povolal jsem t tvm jmnem, jsi mj..... "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine....."'

'Our sincere condolence on the passing of Papa Di Filippo. Our hearts are with the entire family in this time of sorrow.

'Mr. Di Dilippo Welcomed me warmly when I joined the NTMA when he was the president. I remember with fondness the times that I shared a meal with him at Febos in Chicago. Lawrence and Rick, Sondra and I are keeping you and your family in our prayers.'

'My sincere sympathies to Mary Jo and the boys whom I have known in the terrazzo industry for over 40 years,. Richard was a wonderful Gentleman in business and obviously a great family man as evidenced by his sons. 
heaven is a better place today. We in the terrazzo industry will miss him.'

OBITUARY

Richard Victor Di Filippo, Sr.

February 19, 1928 – January 27, 2013

Porter Loring Mortuary - McCullough

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