- Date Of Birth: February 14, 1944
- Date Of Death: July 23, 2022
- State: Maryland
Richard Allen La Dieu, known to most who knew him as Rich or Richie, was born on February 14, 1944 on Staten Island, N.Y. to Gordon E. La Dieu and Beatrice Jean Robarge. He died on July 23, 2022 at the age of 78. He was Predeceased by Siblings: Gloria Beatrice Balotti, Lorraine Cottrell, Deloris Dana, Gordon E. (Sonny) La Dieu, Jr, Marjorie Piscapo and Vincent La Dieu.
Rich is survived by his wife Mary Jack La Dieu, his children Ann Marie Coleman and Richard Alan La Dieu, his Grandchildren : Lilyana Jeanne Brown, Vincent Alan La Dieu, Daniel Jeremiah Coleman, Samantha Nicole La Dieu and Alexander Robert La Dieu; His great grandchildren: Geovanii Emanuel Brown and Samara Arielle Brown and his siblings: Carol E. La Dieu and Raymond Paul La Dieu. He is also survived by 18 nieces and nephews who love and will miss him greatly.
Richard attended McKee High School on Staten Island, N. Y and played the accordion in a band during the 1960’s called, The Playboys. It was through his love of music that Richard met his wife Mary Jack at a local music studio where she was a teacher. He married Mary Jack Shake on March 3, 1965. He moved to Maryland in 1974 where he lived with his family in Prince George’s County, Maryland for many years. He was well known and loved for his community service and activism, generous soul and fun spirit.
Rich was a member of the United States Navy until he received a medical discharge. He was a huge fan of the U.S. Naval Academy Football team and regularly attended the annual Army-Navy Game with his daughter Ann Marie. He, along with his wife, Mary Jack, fostered many children over the years with special needs providing them with a loving and caring home. Rich loved dogs and was especially close with his Red and White Irish Setter, Freckles. He loved his horses and Stetson hats and the awful jackboots that only he appreciated. Rich loved the Boy Scouts where he was an Assistant Scoutmaster on Staten Island and a Scoutmaster for a troop in D.C. for children with special needs.
