New York. Dick graduated from Central High School in Syracuse and joined the Army on October 5,
1946. He spent a year and a half in Japan as a Private First Class (mortar gunner) and spent most of that
time “mopping up” at the end of WWII.
Dick attended college at LeMoyne College in Syracuse from 1951 through 1954, graduating with
a B.S. in Social Studies-Economics. He was a member of the economics club, sociology club, track and
intramurals; softball, basketball, football, sailing club purser and the sailing club racing team during his
four years at LeMoyne. During that time, he met the love of his life, Patricia Bagozzi, and they married on September 11,1954. They had five children and were married until Pat’s passing in 1987.
Dick remarried June 9,1990, to Diana Michaels. They celebrated their beautiful life together for
over 20 years, including raising their only child, Buddy dog, until Diana’s passing in 2011.
Dick is survived by his sons Richard (Cathy), Scott (Daisy) and Eric (Sara), his daughters Karen
and Michelle (Jim), his stepdaughter Melody, ten grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, twin sisters
Judy (David) Hildebrandt and Linda Unangst, and brother David (Jane) Shero.
Dick began his career at Mead Containers in upstate New York, eventually transferring to
Michigan in 1967. A few years later, Dick left that company and began his career in real estate. That is
where he really shined. He worked as an agent for many years, ultimately becoming a broker. Dick
always had great people skills, finding the perfect house for his clients, and received many ‘Realtor of the
Year’ and ‘Top Sales’ awards. Dick eventually started building custom homes, first in Davison, MI, and later in Fountain Hills and Happy Jack, AZ. He was instrumental in starting two family-run building companies, Shero Homes and Starlight Builders, and proceeded to build and sell homes and real estate, until he finally retired at the age of 80 in 2009.
Dick had numerous interests. His most prominent passion was his love of gardening. He moved
from one home to another, always wanting to make his yard a fabulous oasis of roses, waterfalls, trees,
and other flowers. Once done, he got bored and moved onto the next, creating beauty for the next owner
to come. His favorite home was built on Harstine Island in Washington, where the days were long, there
was plenty of sun and rain, and the flowers bloomed like his garden was enchanted.
Dick also loved to travel. Spending at least one night in every state was on his bucket list, and he
finally accomplished that in 2014, with a cruise and land trip with his grand-daughter to Alaska. He took a
National Parks Cruise America trip with the entire family, traveled with his daughter to San Francisco,
Hawaii and cruises with his sons and so many other family vacations too numerous to mention.
He was a dedicated and passionate hometown sports fan, reflecting his personal love of
competition.
Dick spent many of his last ten years in assisted living in Phoenix; making friends, spending time
with family, and winning big at the local casinos. His love of life lasted until the end; continually beating
the odds until February 26, 2022, when at the age of 93, he left this earth to be with his first love, after 35
years apart.
We welcome you to join us for a Celebration of Life on Saturday, March 26, at 11:00 a.m., at
Phoenix Memorial Park, 200 West Beardsley Road, Phoenix, for interment of his cremains, with a
luncheon immediately following at the home of Eric and Sara Shero, 2548 East Lupine Avenue, Phoenix.
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