Richard Joseph Scesa

Richard Joseph Scesa, 76, of Haddon Township, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, October 7, 2017.  He was diagnosed with ALS in March of this year.   He was born in Bronx, New York to his parents Olindo and Lucy Scesa. Rich grew up in Yonkers and spent two years in the Air Force Academy, then graduated Pace University. Richard remained in the Air Force Reserves where he earned his callsign, “Silver Fox”. Always a man of ambition, Rich began his career working in a lab at Ciba Geigy, before pursuing the burgeoning field of Computer Science in the fall of 1962. This pursuit led Richard into Information Systems, where he implemented a form of copper-based data transmission commonly referred to as T1 systems.

Richard married his high school sweetheart, Patricia Dergosits, in 1962. The couple resided in Yonkers & Rockland, NY before moving to Milltown, New Jersey.  They spent several years in Rochester, New York and then on to Cape Elizabeth & Harpswell, Maine. After retirement from Sappi Paper in Portland, Maine, Richard and Patricia divided their time between Harpswell, Maine, Oceanport, NJ and South Palm Beach, Florida.

Richard is predeceased by his son, Thomas, and his parents, Lucy and Ollie.  He is survived by his loving wife, Patricia of Haddon Township: his daughter, Ann Marie Saito and her husband Ghen of Mendham, NJ; son Robert Scesa and his wife, Joanne of Oceanport, NJ; daughter Jennifer Duckles and her husband, Ben of Haddonfield; son Kevin Scesa and his wife, Lauren, of Philadelphia, PA; and his daughter-in-law, Michelle of Hershey, PA.  Richard leaves behind grandchildren Michael and his fiancé, Kristina, Bryce, Connor, Riki, Shannon, Ty, Emi, Ella, Jack and the newest addition to the clan, Hannah; and his beloved support dog, Casey.

Richard “Poppa Dick” Scesa will be remembered most as a loving husband, father and grandfather.  His contagious laughter and benevolent heart will be the legacy his family carries onward forever.  Family gatherings were his special joy.  Summers in Maine these past several years were spent on his boat, tubing with grandchildren and pulling lobster pots to find some “keepahs” for dinner.  Holidays spent around the dining room table were filled with love and laughter.  The light Rich carried within his heart will never go out of our lives.

Relatives & Friends are invited to attend his Visitation, Thursday, Oct. 12 ^th from 6:30 to 9 PM at JACKSON FUNERAL HOME, 308 Haddon Ave., Haddon Township, NJ, and Friday, Oct. 13 ^th from 9:30 to 10:15 AM at Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish HOLY SAVIOUR CHURCH, 50 Emerald Ave., Westmont, NJ.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM. Interment will be private.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to ALS Association - Greater Phila. Chapter, 321 Norristown Rd., Ste. 260, Ambler, PA 19002 or the VA.