Richard C. Gildea
Date of Death: 2/24/2020
Richard C. Gildea
Aug. 23, 1924 - Feb. 24, 2020
Richard C. Gildea, 95, of Hollidaysburg, died peacefully at Garvey Manor Monday, February 24, 2020, surrounded by his family. Dick was born on Blair Street in Hollidaysburg, the eldest of five children of Raymond and Madeline Gildea. He married Mary Louise (Williams) Gildea June 11, 1947. She preceded him in death on December 18, 2010.
Surviving are ten children and their spouses whom he considered his children as well; Michael, Susie, Petie (Henry) Moore, Betsie (Dale) Claar, David (Christine), Tim (Lori), Steve (Deanne), Margaret (Doug) Rhodes, Julie (Bill) Ansley, and Bob (Jill).
Dick was blessed with 36 grandchildren: Sean Gildea; Hank, Jake and Mark Jones; Brian, Kate, Kerry, Colleen, and Brigid Moore; Stephanie and David Claar; Benjamin, Madeline, Nicholas, and Samuel Gildea; Joel, Corey, Ellyn, Caleb and Peter Gildea; Sarah, Justin, Hannah, Christopher, and Theresa Gildea; Sam, Luke, and Clair Rhodes; Abby, Emily, Jack, and James Ansley; and Dillon, Quincy, Maura and Shane Gildea.
Dick was also very proud of his 26 great-grandchildren; Jackson, Lucas, Julia, Greg, Sophia, Ike, Lilly, Mia, Charlie, Aevlyn, Calvin, Preston, J.J., Jax, Jameson, Camille, Lydia, Violet, Brooks, Harper, Callum, Julian, Molly, Emma, Bryson, and Lucy Joe.
Dick is also survived by his siblings Tom and Judy. In addition to his wife, Dick was preceded in death by brother Joe and sister Jeanne as well as his grandson James.
Dick had a full and blessed life. Many of his fondest memories were of growing up with his siblings on Blair Street during the depression. As the children of a railroader and homemaker, money was scarce, but they never considered themselves poor. Later in life, they regaled their children and grandchildren with stories of the "Blair Street Gang", playing kick the wicket, shooting rats at the dump, hopping trains, selling tomatoes (borrowed from the neighbor's garden) and hauling ashes to make a few cents to spend at the pool hall.
After graduating from Hollidaysburg High in 1941, one of the first classes to graduate from the "new" high school (now the junior high), Dick worked briefly for Piper Aircraft before enlisting in the United States Navy. He often claimed "He joined the Navy to see the world, but all he saw, he saw the sea." He served as a radar operator aboard the U.S.S. Anzio CVE 57, a Casablanca class aircraft carrier (The Kaiser Coffins), from 1943-1946, during World War II. They received ten battle stars and provided support in the Pacific theatre in such battles as the Marianas Turkey Shoot, Okinawa, and Iwo Jima.
Following the war, Dick returned to his hometown to attend PSU on the GI Bill. It was there he became "reacquainted" with a fellow '41 graduate Mary Louise Williams at a dance at the Star Room (Legion Park). Despite being from the opposite sides of the tracks, their love quickly grew, and they married in 1947. Mary Louise, an only child, always dreamed of having a large family, and the children began arriving quickly. With his family growing, Dick decided to leave college and enter the workforce with
Household Finance Corporation (HFC) as a manager trainee in 1950. The job took the young family to Harrisburg, PA; Norfolk and Newport News, VA before returning to Hollidaysburg in 1958. By this time, they had five children and welcomed the support of their parents. Over the next 25 years, Dick advanced in the company while the family grew to ten children. He retired from HFC and briefly worked as branch manager at U.S. National Bank until his retirement in 1997.
Throughout his life, Dick was very proud of the Hollidaysburg community and dedicated countless hours giving back through his involvement with St. Michael's Church, as Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, AMBUCS, TPA, the Hollidaysburg Catholic Athletic Association, the Hollidaysburg Area School Board, and Meals on Wheels. He was proud to be named a Hollidaysburg Area School District Distinguished Alumni in 1986.
He also knew the importance of laughter and enjoying life, spending many late nights with Mary Louise and their lifelong friends the Pequignots, Gallaghers, Baronners, Keechs, Greens, Burgers and many others.
Though Dick was very proud of his career and service to his community, his proudest achievement was his family. He loved nothing more than for the homestead at 1204 N. Juniata Street to be full of constant commotion with frequent visits from his family, particularly his 36 grandchildren.
Dick Gildea devoted his life to others. He and Mary Louise provided a loving, supportive and unwavering foundation upon which a great family has grown.
Friends will be received from 3-5 p.m. and 7:15-9 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2020 at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 312 Clark Street, Hollidaysburg.
A funeral mass will be celebrated by Father Clement Gardner Saturday, February 29, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary's. Committal will be held at New St. Mary's Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hollidaysburg Area School District Foundation, Jeanne Gildea Memorial Scholarship fund. |