Richard Wayne “Pop” Lacey
March 21, 1940 - May 22, 2022
Richard Wayne “Pop” Lacey, 82, of Newark, Delaware, died peacefully at his home with family by his side on the morning of Sunday, May 22, 2022.
Richard was born in Wilmington, March 21, 1940, the oldest son of James and Beatrice Lacey. After graduating from Brown Vocational High School, in 1957, he joined the U.S. Army, serving at Fort Bragg. Upon honorable discharge, he enrolled in the Air National Guard, serving for 6 years.
On June 15, 1963, he married the love of his life, Mary Ann. He and Mary Ann were avid travelers, venturing to Italy, England, Alaska, Hawaii, Bermuda, Cape Cod the Caribbean Islands, his favorite being St. Thomas, Marco Island, Orlando (Disneyworld), and enjoying summers at the Lewes and Bethany beaches.
Richard was an active Elk at the 2281 Chapter Elks Lodge in New Castle, DE. He was among the founders of the Holy Family Catholic Church, a steward of his faith. His career years started as a machinist at the DuPont Company. Soon he made his vision a reality as a self-made entrepreneur owning and operating multiple Mister Donut shops and his infamous Mexican Restaurant: El Sombrero; one of Newark’s most loved restaurants. He loved attending the U of D football games as a season ticket holder for over 20 years. He was also a superfan of the Eagles, the Phillies and the Tottenham Hotspurs English Football Club, a loyal fan during every season.
Pop also loved his two adopted stray cats, Rosco and Rudy, that visited him every day while he sat with his coffee enjoying the birds. He loved hunting, fishing and crabbing. He loved being Captain of his boats. If you were missing pop, he probably had a fishing pole in his hand. He was at the helm of a boat for crabbing, fishing and river tours. The bay waters at the beach called us to many clamming and crabbing trips. He shared all his tips from the best ‘spots’ and ‘fishing holes’, to fixing the motor on the fly…and always made the day a success. His famous No Big Deal pontoon hosted many relaxing flotilla days on the water. The more the merrier was dad’s generous way of living. There was always a place to add one more, at the table, on the water, at the beach, or on one of our unforgettable Lacey vacations. He was a phenomenal chef, and grill master, always teaching and sharing his ‘best’ recipes, like his fabulous homemade tableside Caesar salad.
He was a family man through and through. He adored his wife, ‘Mare’. The sun rose and set on his children, their spouses which he treated like his own, and without a doubt his 9 grandchildren. He was so proud of them, attending all of their accomplishments including school and especially all their sporting events. He loved becoming part of the Winnington family; spreading his wealth of knowledge (oh the stories), gift of machining and building, and love of new brothers and sisters far and wide.
Richard is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Mary Ann D. Lacey; his oldest daughter, Denise L. Blackwell (Earl); his son, James J. Lacey (Carole); and his youngest daughter, Sharon L. Swartout (Charlie); and nine grandchildren Megan (Derek), Allison and Christopher Blackwell; Savannah and Katelyn Lacey; and Lacey, Andrew, Reece and Samuel Swartout. Richard loved his family and the visits of his children and grandchildren in his final days gave him great comfort. He was preceded in death by his older sister, Marion Basara (Bruno), brother Harvey Longacre; and his youngest sister Jean Wirt (Peter).
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am until 11 am on Friday, May 27, 2022 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 15 Gender Road, Newark, DE, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 am. Interment will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Richard’s memory may be made to Holy Family Catholic Church at the address listed above.
Dan & Michele
Mary Ann,
Denise, Jim, Sharon and all of the Lacey family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you! The video was a beautiful representation of his life and what a wonderful husband, father, and “Pop” he was to all of you! A true blessing for a such a wonderful family!
Erin Reardon Fleischhacker
Our deepest condolences for this great loss to all of you💔. What a wonderful life he lived! I loved watching the video and seeing so many beautiful memories ❤️! He left quite the legacy! That all-inclusive, fun loving, life of the party, see it all, do it all, personality rubbed off on all of you! Carry on, in his likeness, with him smiling down and happy 😇! Love you all😘
Monica, Sarah & Ryan Yashinskie
Sending love and prayers to all the Lacey family. May all your beautiful memories of Pop’s full and happy life bring you comfort in this time of sorrow. Continue to spread his stories and love and he will live on through you. You now have a special Angel watching over you. Love you all ! 💕💕
Kalthleen Lariviere
So very sorry, Mary Ann to hear of your husbands passing. My prayers and sympathy are with you and to your son Jim
Love and sympathy,
Kathy and Ted Lariviere
Pat Missimer
Jim so sorry that you and your family have lost your loving and fun father. May he rest in peace and you can always recall all those beautiful memories.
Mark Gramer
Sharon and family,
We are very sorry for your loss. My condolences to your entire family. I lost my Mom this week and I understand your grief. You have to admit, Pop lived a full and exciting life. What an accomplished Dad, husband, grandpa and loving soul. He left a great legacy and that will carry on forever.
Love Mark
Michele Tolbert
My deepest Sympathy to you and your entire family. I did not know your father but I feel like I did when I read all of the beautiful sentiments, his accomplishments and love of life! He certainly passed that along to his family and the legacy will continue through you. My prayers and thoughts are with you.❤️
Jean M Toman
Dear Denise and family,
So very sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful man and enjoyed life at every turn. I hope knowing that you now have a very special guardian angel will help you in the weeks and months to come. Keep those great memories close and cherish them always as he would want you to live on and be happy. Love, prayers and hugs to all.
Debbie McKeown
So sorry to hear about the passing of your father. Sending you lots of hugs and prayers. Remember the many good times you had. ❤️❤️
Joyce Hare
Mary Ann & family
Love your Mom from YMCA days. Never met your Dad. Could tell that there was a strong family connection. Reading his obituary, I see that is true. God bless all and bless ALL the memories you shared w/ husband, father, fathet-in-law, grandfather or great-great gf if that applies. 💕
Sandy Basara
Dearest Mary Ann, Denise, Sharon, Jim and family,
It was wonderful to refresh the memories of Uncle Richard throughout the years. Richard’s greatest legacy is the love and devotion that he inspired within his family, especially his children and grandchildren who really embraced being his caregivers as he aged with a happy heart and an unwavering devotion. They met every new challenge with great love, much patience and understanding, kindness and a sense of humor. They did not waiver or delegate as the tasks became more difficult and complicated. Richard and Mary Ann inspired that.
May love and kindness embrace your heart always
Love,
Sandy
Barb Snyder
Jim and Carole ,
I’m so sorry that you’ve lost your Dad. He certainly was a great guy, father and grandfather. I don’t think I know anyone his age who appreciated his family the way he did, he truly was the best. His passing will leave a big hole for a long time, but because of both your inherited traits of hospitality and love, you have lots and lots of great memories.
Love, Barb
Nicole and Fred
Our sincere condolences for your loss of “Pop”. He seems to have lived a wonderful life, full of adventure and lots of family time with all of you. Sending you all our love and thoughts.
Anne Dilks
Mary Ann, Jim & family, My condolences to your entire family. May all your beautiful memories bring you comfort in this time of sorrow. May love and kindness continue to embrace you.