Richard Daniel DeRosa, 86, of South Windsor, passed away peacefully on January 27, 2021 at his winter home in Green Acres, Florida with his brother, Francis DeRosa, and loving children and grandchildren by his side.
Born in Hartford, CT on June 13, 1934, he was the son of the late John and Jenny (DeNino) DeRosa. He attended Hartford Public High School where he met his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Livia Scacca. At 22 years old, Richie and Livia were married and spent the next 40 years together until her death in 1998. Richie served his country honorably in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. After his service, he was employed by Aetna Insurance where he was the head of in-plant printing operations while attending night school at the University of Hartford where he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Business. He subsequently founded DeRosa Printing Co. of Manchester, which he operated alongside his son, John, until his retirement.
Richie believed in giving back to his community. He was an active member of UNICO and was President of the Wethersfield Chapter; President of the Wethersfield Little League; Chapter 47 Commander of the Disabled American Veterans; and President of St. Patrick St.-Anthony Church’s Social Club. In his later years, he was the Vice President of the Florida Condo Association where he owned a home.
Richie was an avid reader and immensely enjoyed golf with close friends, and his niece and nephews. He always seemed to win (scoring an 81 at age 86). He was a loyal New York Giants fan and raised his children to love football. Sundays were filled with family, football and spaghetti with meatballs and was always looked forward to by all.
Richard was proud of his Italian heritage. He loved to converse and laugh but mostly enjoyed being with his six siblings. Family meant everything to him, Dad taught us there is no bond stronger than family. He enjoyed the endless love of his children and grandchildren. We will dearly miss the daily conversations, his constant teachings, as well as watching him read and smoke his cigars. Dad was always quick witted, humorous, had an unforgettable laugh and, as perfectly said by his granddaughter, Daniella, a movie star smile. Dad had a way of making each person he loved feel as though they were special and his favorite. Mostly, we will miss his being our champion.
He is survived by a son, John Carl DeRosa of South Windsor; four daughters, Diane DeRosa and son-in-law Gustavo Garcia of San Diego, California; Jennifer DeRosa Noss and son-in-law Stephen Noss of Orange, CT; Carolyn DeRosa of South Windsor, CT; and Elizabeth DeRosa Reilly and son-in-law Daniel Reilly of Suffield, CT; twelve grandchildren whom he cherished, Sheila, Daniella, Christopher, Taylor, Samuel, Andrea, Carli, Jackie, Reagan, Jack, Michael and Henry and two great grandchildren, Aliyah and Isaiah. He is also survived by five brothers who were his best friends: Francis DeRosa of Old Lyme, Felix DeRosa of South Windsor, Robert DeRosa of South Windsor, John DeRosa and sister-in-law Emily DeRosa, of South Windsor; William DeRosa and sister-in-law, Lynn DeRosa of Venice, FL and Old Lyme, CT; a sister, Patricia DeRosa of South Windsor and a brother-in-law Angelo Scacca of Wethersfield, CT as well as many nieces and nephews whom he cherished and loved.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Richie’s name may be given to the Disabled American Veterans. Checks can be made payable to CT DAV Chapter47 and mailed to the VFW, 36 Fairview St., Windsor Locks, CT 06096 or the charity of your choice.
Private calling hours will be by invitation only due to COVID19 and held on Friday (February 19th) from 4-6 pm at the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield, CT 06109. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday (February 20th) at St. Patrick – St. Anthony Church, 285 Church St., Hartford, CT. The Mass will also be by invitation only. Attendees are asked to meet directly at the church. For those who are unable to attend, please visit spsact.org/news-and-events/virtual-mass/ and follow the YouTube link under Richard’s name to join the virtual livestream of the services. A private burial with military honors will take place at Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield.
To leave online condolences to the family or for a link to the livestream service, please visit Richard's obituary page at www.desopofuneralchapel.com
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