Harry "Dicky" Richard Birdsall

It is with great sadness that the family of “Dicky” Birdsall announces his unexpected passing at the age of 78 years on January 5, 2025 after struggling with pulmonary disease. Dicky was born on April 5, 1946 in Yonkers, New York into an eventual family of five children that resided in Hartsdale, New York. His family moved to Palm Beach County in the summer of 1957.

He attended Sacred Heart Catholic School and Lake Worth High School. After graduation, Dicky worked in the construction industry. He married his first wife Cathy on June 14, 1969, built his house in Lantana, and started a family. In 1971 Dicky formed his own business, Dick Birdsall Trucking, concentrating on grading services. Cathy and Dicky had two children, his son Brian and daughter Bridget. Brian died 1996, as the result of a tragic automobile accident. After a valiant fight with cancer, Cathy preceded Dicky in death in 2005.

Throughout his life, he had a close relationship to his older brother Bob. Together they enjoyed motorcycles, drag racing, hot rods, boat racing, and especially anything dealing with mechanical fabrication – something at which he excelled. Thirty two years later, they still hold two APBA speed records for Jersey Speed Skiffs in a boat that they built and raced together. The immaculate restoration of their father’s 1953 custom designed and Italian hand built Cadillac Elegante, which won a prestigious award at the Amelia Island Concours, and the complete restoration of their famous race boat were two of their last projects together.

Unfortunately, Dicky was also predeceased by his three sisters Susan Seaman, Harriet Miele, and Catherine Block. He is survived by his second spouse Polly Birdsall (nee Kunyaluck Orlachawee), daughter Bridget, his brother Bob and sister-in-law Therese, and six nephews and two nieces. Dicky will also be forever remembered by his many, many good friends.

A Gathering of Family and Friends for Dicky will be held Saturday, January 25, 2025 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm at Dorsey-E. Earl Smith Memory Gardens, 3041 Kirk Road, Lake Worth, FL 33461, followed by a Celebration of Life Service starting at 2:00pm.