Obituary for Richard Allen Deneka
It is with profound sorrow and much love that we mourn the unexpected passing of Richard Allen Deneka of Barrington, NH, on July 15th, 2021, at 72 years of age.
He was born in Plainfield, NJ, on February 18th, 1949, Richard, known as “Rick” to family and “Rich” to friends. Richard was a veteran of the United States Air Force, where he proudly served for 20 years before retiring as a Master Sargent Weather Specialist in 1988 at Pease Air Force Base, NH. During a tour in Germany in 1973, he met his match and lifelong partner in his beloved wife, Elizabeth. Richard knew that Elizabeth was “the one” and proposed just weeks after their first date, New Year’s Eve 1974. After a couple of proposal-filled months, she happily said yes, and they married on September 21st, 1974, while both were on leave in the U.S. She, being in the Air Force herself, outranked him (she an officer, he a gentleman), but neither cared. Richard was proud and often bragged that he didn’t mind being a “kept man.” It is with this loved-filled humor that would continue for the next 46 years.
Richard was an active man throughout his life and enjoyed scuba diving, water skiing, snowmobiling, and hunting. He would later add white water rafting, ziplining, motorcycle riding, golf, and traveling with his wife, daughter, and son-in-law to that list.
Richard always kept himself busy, but his lifelong passion, which continued until his last days, was woodworking and home repair. Richard loved his workshop. He built it from the ground up and spent countless hours in it, often with his son-in-law, who also shares this passion, creating beautiful custom-made pieces for friends and family.
Richard was a proud longtime member of Rolling Thunder NH1 and the American Legion Post 114 in Barrington, NH, where he served many years as the adjutant. Richard found a second home and an extended family within each of these organizations. Richard worked tirelessly alongside the other members advocating for the rights and voices of American Veterans and POW/MIA. Richard was known and loved by many. Richards passing not only leaves a hole in the hearts of family and friends but also in the community. Richard will be greatly missed.
Richard is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Elizabeth Sarracco Deneka, his cherished daughter Nicole M. Deneka and son-in-law Daniel J. Loper of Barrington; brothers P. Kenneth Deneka (Michaeline) of Virginia and Charles “Skip” W. Deneka (Virginia) of New York; sisters Deborah M. Walter (Brian) of Delaware and Priscilla “PJ” Bright of Indiana. Richard is predeceased by his parents Phillip and Florence Woodruff Deneka of New Jersey.
Calling hours for family and friends will be held 10-11 am on Saturday, July 24th at Purdy Memorial Chapel located at 2 Concord Road, Lee, NH, immediately followed by a short service of remembrance.
A catered reception will be held at the American Legion Post 69, 45 Washington St. Somersworth, NH, from 12:30 to 3:00.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Richard’s name to either Rolling Thunder NH1 (PO Box 343, Epping, NH 03042) or American Legion Post 114 (PO Box 532, Barrington, NH 03825).
The family invites you to sign our guestbook or leave a message by visiting www.purdyfuneralservice.com.
He was born in Plainfield, NJ, on February 18th, 1949, Richard, known as “Rick” to family and “Rich” to friends. Richard was a veteran of the United States Air Force, where he proudly served for 20 years before retiring as a Master Sargent Weather Specialist in 1988 at Pease Air Force Base, NH. During a tour in Germany in 1973, he met his match and lifelong partner in his beloved wife, Elizabeth. Richard knew that Elizabeth was “the one” and proposed just weeks after their first date, New Year’s Eve 1974. After a couple of proposal-filled months, she happily said yes, and they married on September 21st, 1974, while both were on leave in the U.S. She, being in the Air Force herself, outranked him (she an officer, he a gentleman), but neither cared. Richard was proud and often bragged that he didn’t mind being a “kept man.” It is with this loved-filled humor that would continue for the next 46 years.
Richard was an active man throughout his life and enjoyed scuba diving, water skiing, snowmobiling, and hunting. He would later add white water rafting, ziplining, motorcycle riding, golf, and traveling with his wife, daughter, and son-in-law to that list.
Richard always kept himself busy, but his lifelong passion, which continued until his last days, was woodworking and home repair. Richard loved his workshop. He built it from the ground up and spent countless hours in it, often with his son-in-law, who also shares this passion, creating beautiful custom-made pieces for friends and family.
Richard was a proud longtime member of Rolling Thunder NH1 and the American Legion Post 114 in Barrington, NH, where he served many years as the adjutant. Richard found a second home and an extended family within each of these organizations. Richard worked tirelessly alongside the other members advocating for the rights and voices of American Veterans and POW/MIA. Richard was known and loved by many. Richards passing not only leaves a hole in the hearts of family and friends but also in the community. Richard will be greatly missed.
Richard is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Elizabeth Sarracco Deneka, his cherished daughter Nicole M. Deneka and son-in-law Daniel J. Loper of Barrington; brothers P. Kenneth Deneka (Michaeline) of Virginia and Charles “Skip” W. Deneka (Virginia) of New York; sisters Deborah M. Walter (Brian) of Delaware and Priscilla “PJ” Bright of Indiana. Richard is predeceased by his parents Phillip and Florence Woodruff Deneka of New Jersey.
Calling hours for family and friends will be held 10-11 am on Saturday, July 24th at Purdy Memorial Chapel located at 2 Concord Road, Lee, NH, immediately followed by a short service of remembrance.
A catered reception will be held at the American Legion Post 69, 45 Washington St. Somersworth, NH, from 12:30 to 3:00.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Richard’s name to either Rolling Thunder NH1 (PO Box 343, Epping, NH 03042) or American Legion Post 114 (PO Box 532, Barrington, NH 03825).
The family invites you to sign our guestbook or leave a message by visiting www.purdyfuneralservice.com.