A lifelong resident of West Palm Beach, FL, John died suddenly and peacefully early Sunday morning December 13, 2020. Born at Good Samaritan Hospital on August 20, 1948, he lived life to the fullest doing everything he loved- flying planes, traveling, coaching, and above all, raising his family. John had a passion for sports, which he passed on to his kids and grandkids. John graduated Palm Beach High in 1966 then began his full-time career at Rich Ice Cream where he worked for over 50 years, retiring in 2016. He turned his sights back to education in 1972, attending Palm Beach Junior College until he transferred to Florida Atlantic University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Finance in 1976. In 1982, John married the love of his life, Grace Quattlebaum and they had four kids together, although through the years they ‘adopted’ many of their children’s friends and loved them as their own.
John is survived by his wife, Grace; children, Julia (Scott) Levey, Patricia (P. Joshua) Petrosky, John Paul Jr., and Thomas; four grandkids Katelynn and Alexander Levey, and Bryce and Brody Petrosky; two brothers, Willard (Monica) Rich, Jr. and Donald (Victoria) Rich; his sister-in-law: Michele Rich and numerous nieces and nephews.
John was preceeded in death by his parents, Willard and Martha Rich, his sister, Marty and her husband, Bill Trowsdal and his brother, Jim Rich.
The family will receive friends during visitation on Sunday, December 20, 2020 from 2:00 until 5:00 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral, Cremation, and Events Center, 5411 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33417. On behalf of John, the family is requesting that everyone forego wearing neckties. Out of an abundance of caution due to Covid, the Funeral Mass at St. Ann Catholic Church and subsequent interment at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Cemetery will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in memory of John P. Rich to the Open Doors Scholarship Fund c/o St. Ann Catholic School, 310 North Olive Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.
