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Richard Dini Obituary
1935-2016
Richard F. "Dick" Dini passed away unexpectedly on Friday, May 20, 2016 at the age of 81. He was born on May 7, 1935 in Medford, Massachusetts and shaped by the love, support, and inspiration of his Italian parents, Louis P. Dini and Alice Cecconi Dini. After graduating from Boston University, he spent more than five decades in Houston raising a family and building a reputation as a respected practitioner and counselor in the philanthropic and nonprofit arena. Dick Dini was a man of great enthusiasm, kindness, generosity, and integrity; and he had an enormous impact on the institutions and individuals he touched. He is survived by a devoted and loving family, including his wife of 55 years, Jeanne, their two sons, Mark and David and their families, including five grandchildren. He is also survived by two siblings, many cousins, nieces, and nephews, and countless friends. While he found great satisfaction, fulfillment, and success in business, he cherished his close-knit family and deep religious faith above all else.
A private family service will be followed by a public celebration of his life on Saturday, May 28 at 11:30am at St. John's School, 2401 Claremont Lane, 77019, in the Flores Great Hall on the North Campus. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to the Dominican Sisters of Mary Immaculate Province, 5250 Gasmer Drive, 77035.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Dini
Sponsored by Roger Davis, 1010 Edision Ave. NW #216, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.
Roger Davis
June 26, 2016
Dear Jeanne, let me say how much I valved and appreciated our relationship and the significant contribution, Dick, and the firm made to my life. Since that day 35 years ago I have lived some of the best years of my life.I considered, Dick, one of the great change agents in my life and fo which I will always be most thankful.
Roger Davis (Grand Rapids, MI)
Hugo Vrsalovic
June 12, 2016
Dear David and Dini Family
It sadden me to hear about your Dad. David had an excellent example.
The loss hurts. The memories bring us smiles.
Hugo Vrsalovic SJ '84
Melissa Vogeley
May 28, 2016
Dear Mark and Family,
Sending our sympathy and love to you as you grieve.
Fondly,
The Vogeleys
May 28, 2016
Dear Jeanne, I am thinking of you, Mark, David And their precious families today. What a privilege it was to be your neighbor for almost 30 years. I always enjoyed our "sidewalk" visits. What a great guy!
I was looking forward to seeing the family at the service, but my flight to Houston was canceled due to weather. Tom will deliver my hug! Love and prayers to you all.
Cecelia Myers
Tony Padon
May 27, 2016
Mark and Michelle,
Debbie and I are so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. We look forward to seeing you at the celebration of his great life. It was always a pleasure to speak with him at your Christmas parties and concerts. I will remember him especially as a very proud father.
Tony
Tommy Harrison
May 27, 2016
I am honored to have known Dick as a friend and a fellow music and baseball enthusiast. We spent many nights talking between sets when I played drums with Mark. Dick always had something fun to talk about. What a stellar Dad, he was always at Mark's gigs.
Dick had a special way to brighten your day. He was always so positive and upbeat.
Dick loved his family more than anything. It was a pleasure to be around Dick and Jeanne. Every time I saw Dick he had Jeanne right next to him.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Dini family.
Shirley Barr
May 27, 2016
Dear Jeanne, I am so sorry for your loss and hope to see you at the Memorial service to help celebrate Dick's wonderful life! Dick set a high bar for successful fundraising in Texas as I have told so many people through the years. I am very happy I met you and Dick through the Houston Alpha Phi Alumnae in the 60s. This morning Phil Taggart and I looked at the wonderful photos of you and Dick at our wedding reception on July 24, 1976--hope to show them to you! Please take care and keep in touch. Love, SB
May 26, 2016
My friend, my buddy and mentor. As you said many times, "There's no CRYING in baseball."
You taught a lot of people your trade, but no one will ever possess the presence that was pure Dick Dini! I will miss you and your sage advice so much!
For Jeanne, Mark and David, never was there a family so beloved. He spoke of you with adoration and pride, and with good reason. My prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Susan Harrison
May 26, 2016
Mrs. Dini and Mark,
I am so sorry for your loss. We have all lost a wonderful man. You are in my prayers.
Chris Hotze
May 26, 2016
One of the great joys of my life was spending time raising money and strategizing with Dick Dini. He was a brilliant man who had an amazing way with people. He had a way of bonding with people with astonishing speed. He was truly AWESOME.
I know he will be missed dearly by his family, who he loved dearly.
Ashley and I send our deepest condolences to Mark, David and the entire Dini family.
Mike Lacey
May 25, 2016
Mark, I am so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. I will keep him, you, and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Michael Lacey.
Diane Miller
May 25, 2016
I love you Dini Family! My heart is so sad for your enormous loss. Aii of us will mourn his earthly presence; but, we will be comforted because we know exactly where he is. I am grateful for the memories that will sustain me and I share this special one: I was anxiously lifting the top covering my birthday cake - my beloved Italian Creme Cake(also a favorite of Dick's) which Jeanne always baked for me....only to learn that SOMEONE had sneaked a BIg slice out if it! Yes, the red-faced culprit was in our midst-You Know Who. I will remember Dick Dini,...especially his capricious inner child. I know the angels were there to escort this loving child into paradise. Diane Miller
May 25, 2016
God feels for you in your pain. (1Peter5:7)
Andi Halkopoulos (Hall) Phinney
May 25, 2016
To the wonderful Dini family, Our hearts are broken here in Massachusetts. Dick was a loyal loving friend to my father figure, Tyler Day. And Dick was also friends with my mom, Elaine Halkopoulos since BU days. I spent years hearing about all the fun stories that Ty (Day) and Dick had during their BU days. And I was fortunate enough to meet him in the early 90s when he came to visit Ty, and we all had a wonderful time in Boston. Our hearts are aching for all of you. I know he adored his family. The world is a sadder place without Dick in it. May God rest his soul.
Cathy Borlenghi
May 25, 2016
Dear Jeanne,
I am sorry for this sudden loss.
I am praying for the repose of Dick's soul now that he is in the presence of the Lord.
His eternal life has just started.
May God give you , your sons, and the entire family, strength to accept His will.
RIP Dick.
Jim Sherburn
May 25, 2016
Jeanne, Mark and David our prayers go out to you for the sudden loss of your soul mate Dick and the boys loving father. We always enjoyed our time with the Dinis. Robert, James and I have special fond memories of our family trips with the Dinis to Colorado. Dick will be missed by everyone.
Jim Sherburn, Bethany,OK
May 25, 2016
Dear Jeanne,
I was so shocked and saddened to hear of your dear hubbies passing. I always enjoyed chatting with him at many of the Donne events. I know you must be heartbroken and I wish there was something we could do for you....just remind you of all of your beautiful memories
Due to holiday weekend we will be unable to make the service but please know that you will be in our hearts and in our prayers.
Love,
Roz and Alan Pactor
Peter Blake
May 25, 2016
I spent a lot of time in my high school years at the Dini residence playing pool and loving music. Always more than kind with a pack of teenagers, the Dini's made you feel welcomed and Mr. Dini was surely an inspiration to many of us. Thoughts and prayers to Mrs. Dini, Mark, and David.
May 25, 2016
David, Mark, and Mrs. Dini,
So sorry for the loss of Dick. Mrs Dini, just saw you earlier this month. Glad Dick got to play some more at Braeburn. What a wonderful man/husband/dad Dick was. He left quite a legacy!
Mike Moore (and Jenny)
Sally Tyler
May 25, 2016
My deepest condolences to the family. What a loss to the community. He was respected and loved by so many and his wit and wisdom will be missed.
May 25, 2016
David, Nancy, kids, and Mrs. Dini, know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. May good memories and the love you shared help you through this time.
Scott Gonzalez and Christine Nicolette-Gonzalez
Steve Sucher
May 25, 2016
So sorry to hear this news. My thoughts are with all of the family, and his many colleagues.
Terri and Joe Dini
May 25, 2016
Jeanne, Mark and David you are all in our prayers.
Terri and Joe Dini
Neal Goates
May 24, 2016
To the Dini family. It always brought me great joy to look up and see when Dick and Jeanne would show up at Mark's gigs. He had such a great presence and he always had that infectious smile that I will always remember. He seem to make the event worth being there and It reminded me of when my parents would do the same. Thank you for always making me feel welcome and appreciated. I will miss him dearly.
Diane Boyd
May 24, 2016
Jeanne,
I was so sorry to learn of the loss of your precious husband, Dick. What an admirable and handsome man he was.
I am remembering you and your family in my prayers, as I know what a difficult time this must be for all.
Fondly,
Diane Boyd
Linda Dalferes
May 24, 2016
Jeanne, my sincere sympathy in your loss of Dick. May he rest in peace and may you know the nearness of God.
Arlene Greene (Dini)
May 22, 2016
We are very sorry for your loss. It has been years since we last saw Dick, but we feel profound sadness. God bless!
Arlene and Heeb
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