Richard Eugene Oly

Your wings were ready but my heart was not. Richard Eugene Oly passed from this world on Monday, December 1, 2015 at 11:24 pm and entered into the kingdom of God to join those who have gone before and wait for those of us yet to be called. Richard was a kind and generous man. He had a great love for home-life, the Florida sun, animals of all kinds, playing the piano and repeating his funny jokes. Richard leaves behind his beloved wife, Rosemary McNally-Oly, his step children, Cynthia Theisen (Daytona Beach), Charles and his wife, Rose Theisen (Green Valley, Arizona), Richard and his wife, Kathy Theisen (Brooklyn Center, Minnesota), and Nancy Sue and her husband, Guy Parent (Ormond Beach). Many step grandchildren and three step great grandchildren. They all loved him and he loved them. Having each been alone for many years, Richard and Rosemary met through mutual friends and soon became a couple. In 1996, he moved from Waite Park, MN to Osteen, FL where they married and had 20 happy years together. Their home for the past 10 years was Ormond Beach, FL where Richard belonged to many organizations, but he loved spending time at home playing the piano and enjoying the pool and sun. Richard was born on April 27, 1926 in St Petersburg, Fl. to his now-deceased parents, Henry Oly and Catherine (Halama) Oly. When he was two he moved to Minnesota where his mother had a boarding home. He married his first wife, Marilyn on December 26, 1953, and together they had three children - Greg Oly, Suzy Osum and Grant Oly. Other survivors include Greg's soon to be wife, Lisa Lilligren, Greg's daughter, Alaina Oly and step daughters, Amanda and Erin Guyette, Suzy and Chuck Osum's children, Grant and Marie Osum, all reside in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Richard also has a few cousins; Suzy Amos, Jerry Quinn, James and Michelle Smirth and Patricia Johnson. Richard's children remarked that he was a dedicated father and often worked three jobs to give his children what he never had. Richard and all of his children were involved in speed skating, won many trophies and continue to maintain several sporting endeavors. At age 17, Richard joined the Navy and later joined the Marine Corps. He was an decorated military veteran with 43 years of service through both the 2nd World War and Korean War. He was wounded twice during his service and he received two Purple Hearts and a Silver Star. He was the president of the Upper Midwest Chapter of the Chosin Few in 1977-1978. While a member of the reserves, he served as a Chief Warrant Officer, and also spent 20 years with the City of Minneapolis Police Department. He was twice honored at the White House by Presidents Ronald Regan and Bill Clinton. In 2014, he was honored by Governor Scott at the Emery Bennett Nursing Home where he was an Alzheimer's patient for the past four years. A Mass to remember Richard's life will be held at 9:30 a.m. at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 600 S. Nova Rd, Ormond Beach. Following the Mass, there will be a Marine Corp Honor Guard ceremony at the Bellevue Memorial Cemetery at 1433 Bellevue Ave. in Daytona Beach. Luncheon to follow at the Amerigion Legion post 267 at 157 New Britain Ave., Ormond Beach. It would be an honor to have any retired WWII and Korean War veterans attend the Mass and Honor Guard Ceremonies. A Memorial Mass for Richard E. Oly will be held on Thursday December 10, 2012 at 9:30 am at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Ormond Beach followed by Niche placement at Daytona Memorial Park with full Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the Humane Society.