Richard DeAngelis (1925 - 2017)

Richard J. DeAngelis, 92, of Hershey, passed away on June 2, 2017 in Spang Crest Manor, Lebanon.

He was born in Hershey, on January 2, 1925, son of the late Domenico and Genueffa (Quaglia) DeAngelis.

Richard graduated from Hershey High School in 1942, then worked in Pearl Harbor for the U.S. Navy as a civilian machinist supporting repairs of battleships and aircraft.

After the war, he was a machinist at the Air Force base in Middletown and a school bus driver before operating DeAngelis Restaurant in Hershey (est. 1935), with his brother Sam, until its sale in 1989 to the Fenice family. He was also co-owner of Mazzoli Ice Cream for several years.

Richard was an excellent roller-skater, built the best model airplanes and go-karts, could repair anything, and was a legendary joke-teller. Ever a friend to the duct-tape industry, he also personified thrifty creativity by making countertop stands to hang bananas (now sold everywhere), drying racks for zipper-lock bags, and soda-can whirligigs.

He was a devout Catholic and sang in the St Joan of Arc Choir for 70 years, retiring in 2016. He was a member of the St Joan of Arc Catholic Church & their Areba Club and the U.S. Air Force Association, and served the Pennsylvania State Snowmobile Association as a State Licensing Instructor.

Richard is survived by four sons: Thomas DeAngelis and Robert DeAngelis of Hershey, Jon DeAngelis of Chatham, NJ, Richard DeAngelis, Jr. of West Chester; and five daughters: Virginia Vernet of Mt. Gretna, Therese DeAngelis of Yardley, Ann Refford and Rita DeAngelis, both of Hershey, and Gina DeAngelis Bianco of Williamsburg, VA; eleven grandchildren: Richard, Joseph, Elizabeth, Marie, Bernadette and Audrey DeAngelis, Christine Houser, Kim and Bruce Vernet, Jr., and Dominic and Eli Bianco; one great grandchild, Luke Houser, brother, Sam, 94; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, his wife of 61 years, Jean (Guardiani) DeAngelis, and one daughter, Marie L. DeAngelis, preceded him in death.

A visitation will be held Thursday June 8, 2017 from 6 - 8 PM (rosary at 6 PM) & Friday June 9 from 9:30 - 10:30 AM, in the Hoover Funeral Homes & Crematory of Hershey.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, June 9 at 11:00 AM at St. Joan of Arc Church, 359 West Areba Ave, Hershey. Interment will be in the Hershey Cemetery.

The family prefers memorial contributions be made to St Joan of Arc Heart of the Parish Fund.

Send condolences via the online guest book at www.hooverfuneralhome.com

Source: http://obits.pennlive.com/obituaries/pennlive/obituary-print.aspx?n=richard-j-deangelis&pid=185720464