Richard “Dick” Rampolla, Sr.

Richard "Dick" Rampolla, Sr.
10/03/1926 - 04/30/2020

Funeral Gathering Live Stream Link

12:30-1:30pm May 12, 2020

http://client.tribucast.com/tcid/83880108

 

On April 30, Richard (Dick) Philip Rampolla, Sr. passed away quietly in his home surrounded by family members.  He was 93.

Known to family and friends as Pop, he was proud to be husband for 69 years to his first love, Madeleine (nee DePuy); father to daughter Virginia Hicks and husband Stephen; son Richard Rampolla Jr. and wife Danusia; and daughter Lisa Weber and husband Marty; grandfather to Mathew and Gloriarose Konopinski, Emily Konopinski and Peter Trunk, Laine Hicks and Sam Roche; Melanie Rychok and Garrett Hincken, Tamara Rychok; Jessica Berry Beals and Rob Beals, and Elizabeth Berry James and Rob James; and great-grandfather to Julia, Gabrielle, and Anna Beals; Lucille, Matilda and Eleanor Konopinski; and August Trunk.

Born in Bayonne, NJ, Dick attended Holy Family Academy before graduating Cum Laude from Saint Peter’s College (University) in three years.  After graduation, Dick had a brief stint teaching high school Math before he began his lifelong career as a recognized expert in the insurance industry.  Casualty insurance was Dick’s specialty and passion.  He attributed his professional accomplishments to a personal concern for his clients, a thirst for knowledge, and a commitment to excellence.  He enjoyed finding the ill-written clause and rewriting it for clarity and purpose.  He was well respected in the business for his great attention to detail and exceptional work ethic.  He remained active until his retirement at age 83 from the position of Executive Vice President for Slapin, Lieb, Pike, and Rampolla Insurance Agency.

Dick and Madeleine started their married life in Bayonne before they bought their first house in Cranford and then found their long-time home and community in Maplewood where they lived since 1962.  During his tenure in Maplewood, Dick became a committed volunteer with the goal of making his adopted hometown the best it could be.  This led to volunteer work with the following organizations:

Cubmaster, Maplewood Cub Scouts Pack 10

Maplewood Lions, Past President & Blood Bank Chairman

Maplewood Civic Association, Past President & Treasurer

Maplewood Cultural Commission, Past Board Member & Treasurer

Maplewood 4th of July Planning Committee and Advisor

In recognition of his dedicated volunteer work and leadership positions with these local organizations, Dick received the Maple Leaf Award in 1994.

He was our magical Pop who gave us Easter egg hunts, Pirate Treasure hunts, MugWump Stories, coins appearing from ears, skipping songs, dancing, poems, love notes and protection from thunderstorms.  He was the “wish-it-away” medicine man and the shaving cream clown.  He taught us the joy of picking dandelions and searching the shoreline for seashells.  He loved to whittle fanciful pieces out of driftwood found on the beaches of Cape Cod and Lavallette. Pop was the planter of flowers and the keeper of the gardens.  He was our Father Christmas.  He dreamed the impossible dream and stood by those of us who sometimes tilted at windmills.  He provided guidance, “Neatness counts supreme” and love.  One thing Pop was not was “normal acting.” We will miss him but will always cherish the wonderful memories we shared.


Funeral Home:
Bradley, Haeberle & Barth Funeral Home
Funeral:
private
Memorial Gifts:
In lieu of flowers, donations in Dick’s honor may be made to either the Maplewood Memorial Park Conservancy http://maplewoodmemorialparkconservancy.org/ or the Lions Clubs International Foundation https://lionsclubs.org/
Bradley Funeral Homes
Covid-19 Safety Practices
Call Now Button