Richard "Dick" Francis Deery

Richard “Dick” Francis Deery, loving husband, father, brother and loyal, wonderful friend passed away after a long struggle with the complications of MDS (Myelodysplastic syndrome), on Sunday, January 22nd at AVOW Hospice with his wife, daughter and son-in-law by his side.

He was born on July 1, 1938 in Wilmington, DE to the late Margaret (Loffredo) Deery and Francis Hugh Deery. Dick’s father passed away at 33 years of age, when Dick was only 10 years old. His mother later married his stepfather, Milton Ennis, who is also deceased.

Dick graduated from Pierre S. duPont High School in Wilmington, DE, and Massanutten Military Academy in Woodstock, VA. He then attended St. Joseph’s College in Philadelphia, PA. He also served in the Delaware Army National Guard. Over the years, he attended many courses all over the country to enhance a career doing residential and commercial real estate appraisals and arranging commercial mortgage financing. He formed his own company and enjoyed a wonderful reputation for his knowledge, common sense and integrity. Finally, after arranging financing for others to purchase apartments and shopping centers, he decided, “why not do it for myself?” So he and a partner bought three large apartment projects in Wilmington and Newark, DE.

Dick was an excellent athlete, earning three varsity letters and earning athletic scholarships to prep school and college. He excelled in basketball and especially as a baseball pitcher, being offered an opportunity to play on a Farm Team by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Later, he enjoyed golf, tennis, squash and racquetball. He also enjoyed coaching youth baseball and basketball in Hockessin, DE.

Dick married the love of his life and best friend, JoAnn (Rash), on October 1, 1960, and they enjoyed 62 wonderful years together. He is survived by his devoted wife, his daughter, Laura Livengood and her husband, John of Davenport, FL, and his sister, Karen Deery, of Bear, DE.

He adored his daughter, Laura, and instilled in her his values. She often repeats things he shared with her that have remained in her memory and heart and influenced her life.

Dick and JoAnn lived in the Wilmington/Hockessin area of Delaware most of their lives where they made many dear friends, in their neighborhoods, through business or at Wilmington Country Club, some who became more like family.

Since 1997, when Dick closed his business and retired, they divided their time between Hockessin, Rehoboth or Lewes, DE, and Naples, FL. They became full-time residents in Naples about seven years ago. They had a home in Pelican Bay for over 20 years, where Dick enjoyed playing tennis twice a week. He really loved those times and his tennis buddies. In 2021, Dick and JoAnn moved to Bentley Village.

Dick and JoAnn enjoyed their retirement together, whether playing tennis or golf, dining with friends or traveling to many places, especially to Ireland (four times) and Austria, where they were twice able to visit friends made on the golf course in Highland Woods 25 years ago. The highlight for Dick though was taking their daughter and son-in-law to Italy. They were grateful for the chance to meet so many fine people over the years when living in Pelican Bay and Bentley Village or belonging at times to Highland Woods Golf & Country Club, Imperial Golf Club, Grey Oaks Country Club and Club Pelican Bay, all in the Naples area.

In some ways complex, he liked The Three Stooges, history documentaries, 50’s and 60’s music, The Anniversary Waltz, Unchained Melody, Strauss waltzes, Andre Rieu, eating Chesapeake Bay crabs off of newspapers and dining in fine restaurants.

Dick was a true self-made man, though he would be the first to acknowledge those along the way who were helpful to him. He worked hard and was devoted to his family. Steadfast in his convictions, but with a heart of gold, generous to a fault, but never one to talk about it, just a kind and caring man whose decency and great sense of humor made him a joy to be around and endeared him to many.

We will cherish our memories of him and the good times we shared. He will be deeply missed and forever in our hearts.

We would like to express our gratitude to the staff at the Bentley Care Center, and to AVOW Hospice for the brief and loving care he received there, especially from Michelle and Nicole the night we arrived.