Obituary of Richard Lawrence Dempsey

Richard Dempsey

1943- 2024

Richard Passed away on 2/4/24 peacefully.

Richard is survived by his sister Eileen Brown (nee Dempsey), his nephew/godson Christopher Brown and his wife Cheryl Brown and their children Reilly (daughter) and Gavin (son).

Richard was a devoted son to his parents Wilfred and Elizabeth Dempsey (both predeceased), a devoted brother to his sister Eileen Brown (Dempsey), a devoted and beloved Uncle/Godfather to his nephew Christopher Brown and generous Great Uncle to Reilly and Gavin.

Richard always held family first and cherished being with his loved ones. He spent countless hours with his nephew Christopher throughout his life. He used to spend plenty of time vacationing in Michigan visiting his cousins, aunt and uncle. Richard’s numerous hobbies included traveling the country, going on cruises, photography, history, and the occasional slot machine. He enjoyed showing his photos to everybody and telling you about his travels. He loved the cinema and watching his movies. Notorious for his insatiable appetite, he enjoyed sitting down to a big meal three times a day with plenty of snacks and a few Sprites in between. He always loved his cookies and chips. He would always tell you he was a lefty. He loved to wear a baseball cap.

Richard loved to drive his car anywhere. He loved to use any excuse to hop in the car and take a ride. He would tell anybody who would listen that his favorite car was the 1969 Dodge Charger that he had once owned. He had the “Dukes of Hazzard” car. On the weekends, he often enjoyed excursions and shopping with his sister.

Richard was born in and lived in NYC until he entered the United States Air Force in 1964. He achieved the rank of Sergeant as a member of the 2^nd Bombardment Wing of the Strategic Air Command stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. This group controlled the B-52G Stratofortress Bomber aircraft. He also spent time at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. He was honorably discharged in 1970 after 4 years of active military service and 2 years as a reservist. He was extremely Patriotic and would always display the American flag on his car, his home, his hat and his person. He was never a political man, he was a “Country First” man. He embodied God, Country and Family.

Richard eventually moved to New Jersey and lived there for a few years until moving to Staten Island, NY where he resided for over 35 years. He commuted from NJ and Staten Island to his job at New York Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan for many years where he held various roles that evolved over the years. He was dedicated to his job and his co-workers, and commuted from his home in Staten Island to NYP for 3-5 hours roundtrip via bus, ferry, subway and sometimes car every day for 35 years. He worked at New York Presbyterian Hospital for over 51 years. He was a second-generation Dempsey man to work at one company for over 50 years just as his father Wilfred had done.

Even after long hours and tough days at work, he was always eager to get home to see how he could help others. Whether it was taking a trip to the store, running an errand, giving somebody a ride, or helping his nephew or sister with a task, he was always there. He would shovel snow before work, and pick up the same shovel after work to repeat the process if necessary. He was always available and was selfless with his time and energy. The next day, he would get up and do it all over again.

Rich was very sociable and loved people. He was always good for a smile and a laugh, even if that laugh was sometimes at his expense. He took it in stride. He was always true to himself. He knew who and what he was. He was always kind. He had a zest for life. Rich had a habit of referring to people as Sir and Ma’am even if those individuals were 60 years younger than him. People who knew him would always ask, “Where’s Richie?” or “How’s Richie?”. Whenever he heard bad news, he would just close his eyes, shake his head, and hope for better. The worst thing I ever heard him say about anybody was a stern, “I don’t like that person.”

Richard had a strong faith and was a devout Catholic. He was a regular at Five O’clock Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church and then later at St. Theresa’s Church in Staten Island, NY. He served as an usher for both churches during his 35 years on the island.

Richard L. Dempsey will be laid to rest in the Dempsey Family Plot in Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, NY.

Rich was loved by many. Rich will be missed by many. We could all learn something from Rich… and we probably did.

United States Air Force Military Honors and Visitation at 1:00PM followed by a Funeral Mass 1:30PM on Saturday February 17, 2024 at Resurrection Parish, 651 Millbrook Ave, Randolph, NJ 07869.  Interment is private.  Arrangements by Tuttle Funeral Home, Randolph (Tuttlefh.com)