Richard Wallace Gittens

Richard Wallace Gittens, son of the late Charles and Iona Gittens was born on September 17, 1942 at 393 Mora Street, Mackenzie, Guyana. He was the fourth of ten children. He was dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ at the Wismar Seventh-day Adventist Church, Christianburg, Demerara River.

To many of his friends he was known as Dick. He attended Mackenzie Primary School and Echols High School before proceeding to Demba Trade School (Linden Technical Institute) to become a skilled Millwright who is a high-precision craftsman. His work experience also included ore excavation, the mechanical and electrical intricacies of the bauxite industry, and the shipping of bauxite and alumina. He attained the mark of distinction, the White Hat.

Dick’s first children were, born of Bibi Khan, (Princess) They are Beverly Nova and Dion Wayne. Then came Coretta. Her mother is Veronica Robeiro.

On leaving Guyana he went to Trinidad, the homeland of his father. He switched from working bauxite and alumina to working oil, tar and concrete. In 1980, he met and married Routee Kassiram (Munie). They have been married for 41 years. When he migrated to the USA and became an American citizen, he was not fully qualified for the jobs he was seeking, Dick went back to school. He displayed amazing aptitude in this country. The stories are legendary of how he braved the hazards of Interstate 95/495 and of how he navigated those pesky exits of the Beltway. Triumphantly, he became a certified technician of heating and air conditioning. With wife Munie by his side and two babies, Andrew and David, still in arms he graduated from Lincoln Technical Institute. For 30 years until he retired, he worked for Horning Brothers in Washington D.C.

Early sports in Guyana found him in the swimming pool, on the football field, or on a Triumph Tiger Cub motorcycle. In his heyday, it was Karate. The practice of the martial arts strengthened him to the very end. He also liked boxing. He fathered five beautiful children and was a good father not only to his own children but also to relatives and friends (like Wesley and Chad ), who he met along the way.

Dick loved music and in his youth he adopted the look of Elvis Presley. He rehearsed to perfection Frank Sinatra’s “I did It My Way”. He has left us joyful memories of happy dances. Who can forget Beverly Nova’s 50th birthday party? His humor was ever present. At the grimmest of moments, Dick could make us laugh. Except for the agony of Redskins jokes, he was of good cheer.. With tears falling, we sure are going to miss those laughs.. He will be fondly remembered.

During the past two years he has had five strokes. Like the champion that he was, he fought the good fight. His passing was expected. He gave us time to say goodbye.

Immediate family members are as follows:

Wife ,Routee (Munie) Gittens

Children: Beverly Nova, (His 1st born} and Dion Wayne (Andrea). [Children of Princess]. Coretta (Jerry), [Daughter of Veronica]. Andrew and David [Sons of Munie.],

Grand-children: Noveen (Richard), Denzelle, D’Andre, Colleen (Kevin), Nathan; Great grand-children: Devyn, D’Angelo; Siblings: Evelyn, Irma, Lucy, Ena, Frank (Denise);

Nephews and Nieces: Rossano (Celia), Trevor (Candice), Leanne (David), Leon (Monica), Douglas, Elon (Laddie),,Elliott, Chantal;

Great Nephews and Nieces: Sherrise, Keiffer, Anthony, Kai, Kalen, Kaden, Madison, Liana, Troi; Great-

Great niece::Mia. Cousins: Gittens,,Allicocks,,Mathesons, Jacobs… and others, In-laws: Sita (best sister-in-law),Joany, Pearly, Betty……and others

Recently Deceased: Alan, Jeffrey, Lena, Lawrence, Chia, Dick’s favorite Auntie Marie passed several years ago. We would also like to acknowledge his many other passed relatives.

Family Pet: Chichi also mourns

PALL BEARERS

Dion-Wayne Gittens D’Andre Gittens

Andrew Gittens David Gittens

Trevor Subero Leon Johnson

Chad Sterling Wesley

HONORARY PALL BEARERS IN ABSENTIA

Frank Gittens Elliott Gittens

Rossano Subero Douglas Gittens

Kalen Johnson Kaden Johnson

Keiffer Subero Anthony Subero

Nathan Gittens

ACKNOWLEGDGMENTS

Our family thanks everyone who has reached out to us with sympathy cards, assistance in tangible ways and expressions of love and support. We especially thank the staff of the Fredericksburg Hospital, Nursing homes, visiting nurses, the staff of the VCU Richmond VA Hospital, Dr Faryal Malick, Nurse Anita Kuzhiyil, Dr. Philip Lee, Nurse Angella Campite, Chaplain Jason Kallahan, Nurse Amber Gilmore, Dr. Dean Leonard, Nurse Kelly Smith, the Mary Washington Hospital staff, and the Mullins & Thompson’s Funeral Service of Fredericksburg, ftheir concern and professional care. May God bless you all. May God bless you all.