Richard J. DeRose, 77, passed away on September 22nd from congestive heart failure in a Florida hospital. Rich was born on November 19th, 1942 in Philadelphia, PA, the son of Antoinette Lombardi (nee Orlando) and Richard DeRose. Rich graduated from St. Thomas Moore High School, class of '60, and then attended St Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, where he graduated with a BS in 1964.
After college graduation, Rich embarked on a 27-year career in specialty retail at Charming Shoppes and Fashion Bug. His remarkable career started out as a parking lot attendant and worked his way up to the executive ranks where he retired as senior executive vice president in 1991. One of Rich’s proudest accomplishments was helping people along the way and supporting many humanitarian causes important to him. During retirement, Rich enjoyed living in South Florida, boating, playing golf, and spending quality time with his family and friends.
Surviving, in addition to his wife, Kathleen DeRose, are his siblings, Jean Weinstein and Larry Lombardi (wife, Pati). Rich is also survived by sons, Rick DeRose (wife, Colleen), Dean Scott DeRose (wife, Sarah), and stepdaughter, Kimberly Simpson; Grandchildren, Christopher, Colin, Erin, and Lauren; and his former spouse, Patricia F DeRose; Along with several nieces and nephews that loved him. Those who wish to remember Rich in a special way may make gifts in his memory to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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