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Tuesday, September 25, 2018
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Allison Caplan posted a condolence
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Dear Rachel & Family,
My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
With Love,
Allison, Jonathan & Hunter
R
Rachel posted a condolence
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Daddy,
I love you more than words. You are my best friend. I will miss you terribly but I know you are my angel now. I know you are healthy now, without pain, no more suffering. Rest now daddy. I love you.
Your little girl,
Rachel
J
Jennifer Mathews posted a condolence
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Dear Uncle Richie,
You were a hard worker, strong man, great father, and much more. Your sickness has taken you from this world but has brought you back home, with the Lord to be with him now. We all know that even though you are not here physically your soul will always be with us. Much love to you and your family!!! You will be greatly missed.
Love your Neice
Jennifer (Kostka) Mathews
F
Fred Offenburger posted a condolence
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Chief,
It is said by some that “The history of the world is but the biography of great men.” I am not sure how true this is for “the world” over, but you have made it true for “our world”. If we were to live our lives in the manner you lived yours, there would be no monksters, just big guys, kiddos, a few “babes”, and a “bunt”. All of us would act with politeness and respect, working hard on labors of love, and enjoying life, with every breath.
R is for rich. Rich in love, rich in family, rich in life.
I is for invincible as we all thought you were.
C is for cancer that dread disease that took you from us.
H is heaven for that is where you are.
A is for angel as you are for us all.
R is for rejoice, not easy for us, but we will get there yet.
D is for delight that we will all have when we meet again.
I will fondly remember dinner table discussions that would not be considered polite in some company being a welcome treat in your home. You created a language of your own, delivered as only you could with a“Na strofja dobra pan, yak shea dobra” or a “Cibral Libral” or the famous “Strong like bull”. You welcomed me in your home and gave to me a gift I will cherish forever; a beautiful wife and three wonderful children.
You often spoke of your “Dad”, a man not of your blood, but whom so touched your life that you thought of him as your father. I know precisely how that feels. There is no doubt that while my Dad bore me into this world, you have fathered me through it. I will think of you often, miss you greatly, and cherish your gifts, and love you always.
Your “son”,
Freddie
T
The Doyle Family posted a condolence
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Rachel and Fred,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Your father seemed like a great man. I wish we could be there to give you all a big hug. Please know that you and your family are in our prayers.
A
Anton David and Family posted a condolence
Saturday, September 8, 2007
As we look back over time
We find ourselves wondering .....
Did we remember to thank you enough
For all you have done for us?
For all the times you were by our sides
To help and support us.
For teaching us by your example,
The value of hard work, good judgment,
Courage and integrity?
And for the simple things
Like laughter, smiles and times we shared?
If we have forgotten to show our
Gratitude enough for all the things you did,
We are thanking you now.
And we are hoping you knew all along,
How much you meant to us.
And until we meet again…
”Those we love don't go away,
They walk beside us every day,
Unseen, unheard, but always near,
Still loved, still missed and very dear.”
J
Joan Dorosin (Danielle Kerker's Mom) posted a condolence
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Dear Rachel:
May you find comfort in the memories that are yours to cherish always..Your Dad will live on in the hearts of everyone who loved him.
I'm so sorry for your loss.
Joan Dorosin
(Danielle Kerker's Mom)
T
The Kerker Family posted a condolence
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Dear Rachel, Fred & Family,
We are truly sorry for your loss. Your father was a very special person with a big heart. Cherish all the wonderful memories you have of him as a father and grandfather. Always remember the rainbows in your sight could be your dad reaching out and letting you know he is right there for the family.
With all the love in our hearts,
Danielle, Seth, Alex and Marin
S
Sandy Reichert posted a condolence
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Enjoyed watching his daughter Rachel do the ultimate dive off the diving board this summer, for her Dad as he was watching! It made his day:)
S
Sharon and Rich posted a condolence
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Rich,
We always enjoyed your company. Unfortunately far too few times,there were some bad meetings but,thanks to Rachel-good times too & of course the Middlesex County Fair.
You were such a plus in the world's of all who knew you.
Rest easy, the Lord felt your job on Earth was done but you'll always be busy watching over everyone.
Richard & Sharon Charzewski
T
The Caldwells posted a condolence
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Dear Rachel and Fred and family:
We are greatly saddened for you all and regret that we will not be able to make the trip in support. You are in thoughts and prayers and we love you all so much. We pray you find strength and peace in the everlasting arms of our precious God.
Love in Him,
Annie, Ian, Sydney, and Kearsley Caldwell
L
Larry Gately posted a condolence
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Mr. Fritz's warmth and compassion left an indelible impression upon me. I will remember him fondly. My heartfelt condolences are extended to his wonderful family.
T
The Vaughts posted a condolence
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Aunt Prue,
You and yours are in our hearts, thoughts and prayers. Uncle "Fritz" will surely be missed.
A
Andy Kostka posted a condolence
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Dear Richie:
I think back over the last 34 years & of those 17 years I spent being married to Patty,being a part of the Sefcik/ Fritz family. While my marriage to Patty didn’t work out quite the way I thought it would,I am so thankful for having been part of your wonderful family.I have so many memories & some of my favorites are those spent with you when I worked for you so many years ago.You tried to teach me so many things but I didn’t really understand the opportunities you were trying to give me.So many times I have regretted not paying full attention to what you were teaching me.I could have used so many of those skills over the years. I do remember some of the lessons you taught me & have tried to use them. What I am real thankful for though is the time spent with you & getting to know you so well. What I remember most was your laughter, your hard work ethic,the fun you seemed to have in the work that you did and in life.You really embraced life & lived it fully.You always treated me so well. I always enjoyed seeing you.I always felt a little awkward at the large family get- togethers but you & your mom always made me feel so comfortable and at ease.I really loved your mom so much. She was a great lady & a real second mother to me. I really miss her.I have many wonderful memories of being with you. I remember the 1st time I worked for you was doing some concrete work. I think you were doing a patio & you hired me for the day to help Vinnie mix & move the cement. Patty & I were married a few months at the time. I was out of work with Jennifer on the way. You were kind enough to offer me a day’s work here & there to help me earn a little extra money.I remember when you actually hired me to come work for you. Vinnie had quit & you were building a big fireplace in a house up in Basking Ridge. It was winter.I was mixing cement & stuff.I remember the couple that owned the house were really nice people.I remember all the work we did for Mrs. Groves in Maplewood. I will never forget how I almost fell off the ladder with a pack of shingles & when you returned from some errands, I was white as a ghost from fear. I did get back up on the ladder but my fear of heights got in the way over time. You always tried to reassure me that I would be ok.I remember Mrs. Groves would serve us coffee and cake every afternoon. She was so sweet.I imagine that you may be having coffee & cake with her now in Heaven.I remember you chuckling at my fear on being on that steep roof in Morristown.I hung on in the corner afraid to move.You scaled it & walked all over it,no problem.I wasn’t much help to you when it came to roofing, that is for sure.I did learn to do roofing though.I remember that you said to always use 6 nails not 4 like some roofers to do who try to save time and cut costs. You said to always do quality work and to never cut corners.I believe that is how you lived your life, as an honest, hard working man who did the best work possible always.You were always careful on the roof; always being safe & knowing the limits. I remember we would see certain roofer’s trucks parked outside bars at lunchtime.You would say they are crazy to drink & then climb a roof.I remember helping you build the wall down the block from you near the corner of South Orange Ave.I remember how you built it with the weep holes so as to allow the water to seep out without pushing the wall out over time.I haven’t been by there in a while but when I do go by, I see the wall is still in great shape and I think of the fact that you built it. It was in the winter time. You had to cover it with plastic near as I recall. I remember that you had just finished it and it was snow flurrying. The temp was around 32 degrees.I did use that lesson with the weep holes when I built the wall in the back of the house at Brookside.I remember a slow time when there wasn’t enough work for me. You didn’t send me home but rather set me to painting inside your home.You were so generous & kind to me. Richie I will forever be in your debt for all that you tried to do to teach me. I was stubborn about learning because I didn’t care for that kind of work at the time.I just did not realize the opportunity that you were giving me.I do also appreciate the fact that you gave me a job, a guy with no skill at all in that type of work.There were no good jobs that I could get at the time.You really helped Patty & I out a lot by hiring me. Thank you for everything you did for me. I was always proud to be your brother-in-law & loved you very much. Even though I hadn’t seen you much after I moved out of Millburn, I thought of you often.I will miss you very much. Thank you for everything. I am a better person because of knowing you.
A
Andy & Denise Kostka posted a condolence
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Dear Prudence, Robin, Rachel, and Families:
It is with such deep sadness that I write this. I am so sorry for your loss. I know that you all loved Richie so very much. He was such a sweet, kind. hard working fun man. I didn’t get to see Richie too often after I moved off of Brookside Dr. I did think of him and all of you over the years though. I would sometimes get updates on how everyone was from Jennifer, Melissa, and Patty. Once in awhile I would see Robin around town. It is always great to see you Robin. I really enjoyed talking with you & seeing how the family is.
When Jennifer told me at Christmas time that she thought she had heard that Richie was sick, I was really shocked and didn’t want to believe it. Not Richie!
Then I guess it was a couple of months later when I saw Robin in Shop Rite and she confirmed what Jennifer had said. How could that be? I had seen Richie and Pru at Bed Bath and Beyond within the last year & Richie looked great. He was his usual happy self.
I wanted to call or something because I had so many things I needed and wanted to say. I thought for a few weeks or so about what to write and what to say before I wrote the 1st letter that I did. I sent the letter off and within a few days I got a call from Richie & we talked for a long time about the remembrances that I wrote about that I have of him. We had a real nice talk and I was so impressed with his courage and strength in fighting this terrible disease. He said that he has had a wonderful life, that he has a wonderful family. He is fighting this disease and is having some good success with his treatments.
Then the thing I remember maybe most about the conversation was his compassion for the other people at the hospital who he said are suffering so much and in really bad shape. He felt sorry for all these other people. He never talked of sympathy for himself or regret. He said he had a good life and he had no regrets. WOW !! I am still in awe of his courage and strength. I believed that if anyone could beat that disease, it would be Richie.
Richie said he would have Denise & I over for coffee and cake after his next doctor’s appointment as long as he was feeling up to it. We said goodbye and that was the last time we spoke. I never heard back from him. I wrote a follow-up letter to say hello and hope that things were improving but didn’t get a reply. I hoped that he had gotten completely cured and was working or off vacationing. But I did worry that maybe things had gotten worse.
I continued to pray for him every day since the day that Jennifer told me he was sick. I was praying for a miracle that I believed God could deliver on. Then I got a phone message from you Pru on Friday Sept 7th that Richie wasn’t doing too good and it would be at most a couple of days. I prayed even harder for a miracle until I read in the Star Ledger a couple of days later that Richie had lost his battle against that terrible disease.
I guess in a way God did answer my prayer. Just not the way I wanted. But Richie is healed, totally and completely. He is happy and well in Heaven reunited with his mom, 2 dads, his brothers, Mrs. Grove and so many others. I expect one day to share that cake and coffee with him when we meet again.
I know this is not an easy time for all of you but please accept our deepest sympathies from Denise & I. Please know that we love you all very much. We feel so sad for you. While I am very sad & upset about Richie’s passing, I will try to think about the happy times that I was able to share in knowing him. I feel that my life is truly much richer in knowing how he lived, and how he died. He was a truly good, kind, hard working, caring loving man, who loved life, loved his family, loved to have fun, to laugh and to dance. He lived life and faced death with enormous strength and courage.
God Bless you Prudence, Robin, Rachel, and to your Families.
973-762-2200 (Jacob A. Holle Funeral Home)
973-762-1133 (Preston Funeral Home)
jacobhhollefh@aol.com
prestonfh@aol.com
2122 Millburn Ave | Maplewood, NJ | 07040
153 South Orange Ave. | South Orange NJ | 07079
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