1 Upcoming Event
Funeral Mass
FEB
20
Friday, February 20, 2026
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
3717 Georgia 515, Blairsville, GA 30512
Richard Gerard Wallace, 88, of Murphy, NC passed away on January 9, 2026.
"Dick" was born on August 10, 1937, in Boston, MA and was the son of the late Patrick Gerard and Alice Winifred (Tweed) Wallace. He was the last surviving member of his family, preceded in death by his brothers, Gerald, Robert, and David.
He graduated from Mission High School and attended Wentworth Institute where he studied architecture and engineering.
Dick joined the United States Air Force in 1960 as an Extended Active-Duty Reservist, serving in the 814th Medical Group, and was honorably discharged in 1965.
He married Esther Marie (Katonak) Wallace in 1960 and raised a family of four children. From Framingham, MA to Raytown, MO to Blairstown, NJ, they spent their years working hard to succeed with their business, Landmark Design Builders. He also was an avid inventor and created an industry-recognized tool for testing the seals of metal building fasteners.
Together, Dick and Marie traveled the world, including many trips to Bermuda where they regrouped with friends annually. Though they eventually separated, they remained close friends until her passing in 2024.
Dick was deeply involved with Rotary International and was committed to their motto of "Service Above Self." He served as District Governor (#7470) in New Jersey with a focus on helping the children of the world through the Gift of Life Foundation and vaccination programs to end polio worldwide.
Dick was extremely proud of his Irish heritage and obtained Irish citizenship in 1999, becoming a dual citizen of Ireland and the United States. He spent his later years wielding his prized shillelagh (cane) and singing "Danny Boy"! He had an incredible sense of humor and enjoyed playing pranks!
He is survived by his four children, Mark, Glenn (Jim), Teresa (John) Hopkins, and Dawn (Steve) Kernan. Also, his grandchildren; Echo (Owen) Hopkins, Corin (Syboné) Hopkins, Ashley (Ryan) Moseley, Alexander (Stephanie) Kernan, Jenna (Matt) Harris, Emmalie (Antonio) Sanchez, Marina Kernan, and Magdalen Kernan and was blessed with seven great-grandchildren!
Dick will be met at the Rainbow Bridge by his loving pets, Hobo, Archie, Patch, and Brinkley. His canine companion, Maverick, will miss him greatly.
A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, February 20, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at his home parish of St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Blairsville, Georgia. The service will be livestreamed on Facebook for all his family and friends to virtually attend. https://www.facebook.com/sfablairsville (under More > Events)
The family wishes to express wholehearted gratitude for the loving care given to our father by the Murphy Rehab and Nursing (NC), Blue Ridge Assisted Living and Memory Care (GA), and Appalachian Hospice Care (GA). There are angels on Earth!
Dick would have appreciated donations being made to the Rotary Endowment in his honor. https://www.rotary.org/en/rotary-endowment
To celebrate his kind and loving spirit, please hum "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" whenever you remember him!
"Dick" was born on August 10, 1937, in Boston, MA and was the son of the late Patrick Gerard and Alice Winifred (Tweed) Wallace. He was the last surviving member of his family, preceded in death by his brothers, Gerald, Robert, and David.
He graduated from Mission High School and attended Wentworth Institute where he studied architecture and engineering.
Dick joined the United States Air Force in 1960 as an Extended Active-Duty Reservist, serving in the 814th Medical Group, and was honorably discharged in 1965.
He married Esther Marie (Katonak) Wallace in 1960 and raised a family of four children. From Framingham, MA to Raytown, MO to Blairstown, NJ, they spent their years working hard to succeed with their business, Landmark Design Builders. He also was an avid inventor and created an industry-recognized tool for testing the seals of metal building fasteners.
Together, Dick and Marie traveled the world, including many trips to Bermuda where they regrouped with friends annually. Though they eventually separated, they remained close friends until her passing in 2024.
Dick was deeply involved with Rotary International and was committed to their motto of "Service Above Self." He served as District Governor (#7470) in New Jersey with a focus on helping the children of the world through the Gift of Life Foundation and vaccination programs to end polio worldwide.
Dick was extremely proud of his Irish heritage and obtained Irish citizenship in 1999, becoming a dual citizen of Ireland and the United States. He spent his later years wielding his prized shillelagh (cane) and singing "Danny Boy"! He had an incredible sense of humor and enjoyed playing pranks!
He is survived by his four children, Mark, Glenn (Jim), Teresa (John) Hopkins, and Dawn (Steve) Kernan. Also, his grandchildren; Echo (Owen) Hopkins, Corin (Syboné) Hopkins, Ashley (Ryan) Moseley, Alexander (Stephanie) Kernan, Jenna (Matt) Harris, Emmalie (Antonio) Sanchez, Marina Kernan, and Magdalen Kernan and was blessed with seven great-grandchildren!
Dick will be met at the Rainbow Bridge by his loving pets, Hobo, Archie, Patch, and Brinkley. His canine companion, Maverick, will miss him greatly.
A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, February 20, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at his home parish of St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Blairsville, Georgia. The service will be livestreamed on Facebook for all his family and friends to virtually attend. https://www.facebook.com/sfablairsville (under More > Events)
The family wishes to express wholehearted gratitude for the loving care given to our father by the Murphy Rehab and Nursing (NC), Blue Ridge Assisted Living and Memory Care (GA), and Appalachian Hospice Care (GA). There are angels on Earth!
Dick would have appreciated donations being made to the Rotary Endowment in his honor. https://www.rotary.org/en/rotary-endowment
To celebrate his kind and loving spirit, please hum "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" whenever you remember him!
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard Gerard Wallace, please visit our flower store.
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