Richard Rhoad

With a personality that everyone from young to old liked right off the bat, Richard was perfectly suited for a life in sales. Even those who couldn’t buy from Finnaren and Haley were outspoken about how much they loved him. His career provided for his family and paid down his Sears bill. He had a peaceful nature and a humble way that would translate into harmony in his household. Even though he was occasionally known to playfully pull family members from his will, they always had the chance to work their way back in. He was athletically gifted: he played basketball for the Willis Air Force Base while he was in the service and bowled semi professionally. Later years found him golfing: his clubs were sometimes known to find their way into a tree. Sundays were a special day. Short of Bubonic plague he never missed Mass. Then he’d scream at the Eagles officiating and finish off the day by gathering his family to his dinner table. Richard knew to rely on the Lord. When friends and family needed help their names went on his prayer wheel. He felt he prayed his best in bed at 3 a.m.rnHe was raised in Philadelphia, West Catholic High School class of ’48, raised his family in Sharon Hill and moved to Logan Twp. NJ in 1985.rnWhile at a graduation party in Philadelphia, he would use his good looks to win the heart of a young Catherine Gormley. Their 57 year marriage would be blessed by 5 children, Catherine, Richard Jr., Frank, Stephen and Susan; 11 grandchildren, 8 step-grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Marie McCourt and Elaine Long.rnCome celebrate 80 family centered years Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. and Wed 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Daley Life Celebration Studio, Swedesboro, NJ. Mass of Christian Burial Wed. 10 a.m., St. Joseph’s Church, Swedesboro, NJ. Donations in lieu of flowers to American Heart Assoc., 1 Union Street, #301, Robbinsville, NJ 08691-4183.