Uncle Richard

Just over 102 years ago, Richard was born on October 22, 1905. He was the second son, and according to Anna, was born at home, which was near 3rd and Myrtle Streets. My mother, Lucille, said that he went to grade school at Lafayette School, which was located at 2nd and French Streets. I remember mom and Anna describing him as always moving about the house at 509 Parade Street in a quite stealthy manner, that you hardly noticed his presence. He shows in the 1930 census as living at home.  I think that my mother said that he left home at the age of 24. She said that when different members of the family returned home and asked about where Richard was, that they were given no answer, and it has always remained a mystery.

Through the Social Security records, I have found where Richard went to live. He signed up for Social Security in 1936 because of the Social Security Act of 1935. His application shows that he lived at 160 Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village in New York City. He was employed at the Reuben H. Donnelley Corp., which is still in existence today as a publisher of telephone directories.

I've discovered that Richard enlisted in the Army on Dec 1, 1942, and that his Army Serial Number was 32650806, and that he was a private.

I have a copy of his Death Certificate, and it shows that he died on June 16, 1981. It gives his occupation as a retired hotel clerk, and the final resting place as Calverton National Cemetery, Long Island, New York.

At this time the only other information I have is from Willie - he says that Richard resembled his father in looks, and that his hair was red. He also mentioned that Richard had left home once before. The family had found out that he had gone to Buffalo, and so his father went there on the train, and brought him home.