Richard “Dick” Leuliette
July 19, 1939 - June 19, 2025
Richard “Dick” Leuliette, age 85, of Townsend, DE, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Dick was a person who lived his life in friendship and service. He loved the simple things in life which he considered the most important things; spending time with people, creating community, a good meal, a beautiful sunset, singing in choral groups, eating steamed crabs and corn on the cob, and so much more.
Born in Cleveland, OH on July 19, 1939, he was the only child of the late Elmer and Adele (Dengler) Leuliette. As a child he lived in Texas, Morristown, NJ, and Moorestown, NJ. He graduated from Moorestown High School in 1958. In 2006, Dick moved to Delaware to be a part of a new community and loved greeting new people as they moved into Legacy.
Dick joined the United States Coast Guard in 1957 and served until April 1963. He loved his time of service in New York Harbor on a tugboat and loved telling stories about the experiences he had. He proudly wore his Coast Guard hat and told people he had a great time serving when they thanked him for his service.
Dick’s father founded PLAS-TI-CON in 1955, a business which manufactured concrete pipe. Dick was the second owner until closing the family business in 1994. During his time with the business, Dick was an active member in the American Concrete Pipe Association (ACPA) and served as National Chairman of the Board from 1979-1980. With ACPA, he traveled to many parts of the world to study concrete pipe production.
Service to community was important to Dick and was always a big part of his life. Volunteer fire fighting was a part of Dick’s family. He was a Life Member of Relief Engine and Moorestown Fire Department and served over 50 years. While living in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, Dick continued his volunteer fire fighting work and became a commissioner for the Mt. Laurel Fire Department. During that time, he helped to expand the fire services and rebuild a firehouse. It was, also, with great pride that he told people that his youngest son, Lance, was a professional firefighter in Georgia and that his oldest son, Grant, is now a commissioner for the Moorestown Fire Department.
Becoming a Rotarian was a large part of Dick’s life of service as well. In 1986, he co-founded the Moorestown Breakfast Rotary Club and enjoyed, to the fullest extent, the time he served that organization. When moving to New Castle County in 2006, Dick sought out the Southern New Castle County Rotary and loved working with its membership. There were so many friends and opportunities to help.
Habitat for Humanity was yet another way that Dick found a way to help and serve others. Before moving to Delaware, he was part of a group that established a Habitat Resale Store in Cinnaminson, New Jersey. Once in Delaware, he became very active in the building part of Habitat in Wilmington and Middletown. He just loved giving the time, making new friends and providing a new opportunity for others.
As a teenager until recently, being a part of a choir or a choral group was important. Singing just made him feel good about life but, even more important, was being a part of a group working together to make something sound beautiful. It spoke to his soul and many times he would have tears in his eyes from pure enjoyment of the experience.
Dick was a ten-year member of the Volunteer Show Corp. for the Grand Opera House and the Playhouse on Rodney Square in Wilmington, Delaware, until this year as his health would not permit him to continue. He loved talking to the people as he seated them.
Dick was an eighteen-year member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Odessa, where he sang in the choir and could always be found in the kitchen helping out. Covered Dish affairs were a favorite.
Dick was a part of the Frends of Zoar and the renovation project they are undertaking, He was willing to do what he could because he thought it was an important part of the community’s history.
Dick was married to Eleanore “Ellie” Burdett-Leuliette in January 2001 and they established a blended family. Their children and spouses, Grant, Christine, Lance, Susanne, Cyndi, and Andy; their grandchildren, Geoffrey and Bridget, Lexi and Ryan, Kyle, Sarah; and their great-grandchildren, Colton and Cooper will miss him more than words can express as he made sure that each of them felt special in their own way. He was so proud of each of them and excited for each of them as they have taken steps in their own lives.
Dick’s first celebration of life will begin at 11 am on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 406 Main Street, Odessa, DE. A second celebration of life will begin at noon on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the Lenola Fire Hall, 229 North Lenola Road, Moorestown, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dick’s memory to St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 253, Odessa, DE 19730-0253; or to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Ste 1509, New York, NY 10018, or online by clicking here.
Rick and Tracy Pulling
Dick. Your friendship meant so much to Tracy and I. You will always have a place our hearts. Rest easy my friend. We are here for your family whenever they need us. 🙏🙏🙏
Robert Yalley
Dick was such a great man. Very caring and giving. He will truly be missed
Catherine Wevodau
Ellie, I am deeply sorry to hear of Dick’s passing. What a full and wonderful life he led! I was always thankful of his taking the dog when I would come to make cards with you. My thoughts and prayers have been with you and will continue to be.
May he rest in eternal peace.
Joanne Warner
I’m so sorry for your loss! Dick was a great friend to my late husband Jim and myself. He will never be forgotten! I’ll seen you on July 26!
Ryan Dortone
He was a great man with an even better soul! He was a selfless man and he always wanted to help people. He will be sorely missed and never forgotten.
Mary Jo Sweeney
Where do you begin to pay tribute to such a wonderful and caring human being? Our hearts are so saddened losing Dick, but we feel comforted knowing he is safely in the arms of our Lord.
Moving here to Legacy, we were blessed meeting this friendly, sweet man that touched our lives in so many ways….always making us laugh, always taking the time to stop and chat, and always making us feel we were important to him.
Dick will forever be in our memories, and will forever be in our hearts, as a loving friend to all.
Love you, Dick!
Rest in peace, dear friend!
♥️Mary Jo and Kevin Sweeney
Nathan Guteras
Deepest sympathies in this time of loss. You will be missed.
Michael Sayre
Dick was truly a great man and neighbor. He and Elle were the first to welcome us to the neighborhood. Always friendly and would stop to talk to us. We will miss his spirit as we know he is with Christ. Dick already has his wings.
Michael and Bob
Juanita Butcher
Deepest sympathy to the Leuliette family.
JButcher and family.
Karen C
Mr Leuliette was the nicest man I have ever met. He crossed my mind just a couple days ago and I realized I hadn’t seen him in quite awhile. I’m truly sorry to hear of his passing.
Thinking of the entire family during this difficult time. Cherish your memories to help ease your sorrow. He wouldn’t want anyone to be sad. He definitely lived his life to the fullest helping others and will be missed by many.
Sincerely,
Karen🌹
Rich Worrell
I’ve just learned of Dick’s passing. I remember him well as a brother firefighter at Relief Engine Co., Moorestown, NJ. Dick was always one to have fun and enjoy a joke. Dick had his serious side as well like when he taught me the ins and outs of operating a new pumper at the fire station. My deepest sympathy to the Leuliette family.
Ted Cieslak
I’m going to miss seeing you go by the house and having a talk. But most of all will be all the fun we had at Habitat and all the people we built home for. You will be missed
Michele Hunter
To my brothers Grant & Lance,
It has been six months and twenty days since we lost Mama, and now both of you find yourselves in the same position I was in with the loss of your dad. You know how much I loved him, and you also know how much I love you both. If there’s anything I can do for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out—whether it’s a call or a text. And Richard, don’t forget to look for Cookie and Milt when you reach those gates.
To the rest of the family, my thoughts and prayers are with you. My heart is heavy with the loss you are experiencing. May God’s blessings and grace be with you all. God has welcomed another beautiful flower into His heavenly garden.
Rest in peace, Richard Leuliette, until we all meet again.
Michele your loving sister.
Marilyn Quarterman
Ellie, you have my deepest sympathy for your loss. As you navigate the effects of Dick’s transition, I pray for your increased
strength and comfort provided by the Holy Spirit. May the Lord bless you and keep you, and make His face shine upon you, and provide you with His peace and grace.
Mary & Clifton Walker
Ellie, our sympathy to you and your family.
Judith Steinhoff
My deepest sympathy. Dick will be missed.
The Steinhoff’s
Mary/Steve Rudolph
Ellie, we were so saddened to hear of Dicks passing. Our hearts go out to you and your family. We will always remember that bright smile Dick had and his ever friendliness manner. May your memories together of him comfort you at this time.