Richard M. Stern 68, passed away on January 24, 2009 at Bay Pines Veteran’s Hospital in the Hospice unit. Originally from Long Branch, NJ, he moved to St. Petersburg in 1979 with his two children. Richard was a very proud and honorable Navy veteran serving active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was a devoted and loving father, grandfather and a true friend to many. Survived by his daughter, Dianne Bailey, Palm Harbor; son, Rich Stern, Orlando and 3 grandchildren: Brennan Bailey, Abigail and Adam Stern. He is also survived by a brother, Joseph Stern, St. Petersburg, and sister, Mary Smith, Odessa and several nieces and nephews.
He will be loved and missed dearly as he lived life to the fullest with a positive attitude and his generosity, kindness and amazing sense of humor was felt by all who were in his presence. His memories will remain in our hearts forever. Services will be at Bay Pines Veteran’s Cemetery on January 30th at 2:15pm.
My deepest thoughts and prayers are with you Diane and your family. love you…
Jennifer
our thoughts are with you! uncle rick will be missed. love you all!
You will be missed by us all, but we will always have the fantastic memories of all the fun we had growing up, starting our families and the joy when we all came to Florida. You left us too soon, we had a lot to do yet, so we will take you with us always in our thoughts. Love you, your sister.
Will miss you brother. Boy, did we have some stories to tell.
May all find comfort in the memories of a life well lived.
We were very saddened to hear of Rick’s illness and death.
Tom has many good boyhood memories in Atlantic Highlands, NJ. We are sorry we didn’t get to see him in later year.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Dear Stern Family,
I was saddened to read of Rick’s obit in the paper this morning. I send you my deepest sympathies and regrets upon your loss. Please know that I care and that this is written with the fondest of memories, love and prayers.
As his neighbor, I enjoyed many moments with Rick. We had somber and open conversations about the good, bad, and ugly of the world. Mostly, we shared a beer, hit wiffle golf balls over Dick’s roof, and made each other laugh with our common wit and sense of humor. I could tell he was a good man, and getting to know and talk with his children was further proof of that. I know he was comforted in the knowledge that he would live on eternally in the hearts he left behind.
“Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy”
Dad, There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t miss our conversations, your voice of wisdom and your unconditional love. I will forever love and miss you, as my heart is not complete without you here with me on earth. You taught me so much and I look forward to the day I can once again give you a huge hug in heaven when we are together. I will raise Brennan with the morals, values and standards that you so diligently instilled in me. You made me the strong woman that I am today and the patient loving parent that I am blessed to be. I love you with all of my heart. Love Always, Dianne