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Richard Sweeney Obituary
He is survived by a companion of 22 years, Nancy Speidel of Barnesville. Born in Lehighton, he was a son of the late John and Margaret (Johnson) Sweeney. Rich was an avid flyer and was last employed as a commercial airline pilot for Allegheny/US Air.He was of the Catholic faith.
Rich enjoyed traveling the globe and meeting people and visiting different countries and in his early years loved being in the out of doors.
He is also survived by a son, Ryan Bowman, and his wife, Rachel, of Lehighton; a sister, Mary Francine, wife of Roger Schoch of White Haven; a brother, Michael P. Sweeney of Nesquehoning; a granddaughter, Grace Bowman of Lehighton; a nephew, Kevin J. McKeever of Jim Thorpe; and many close friends.
He was also preceded in death by a brother, Eugene "Geeg" Sweeney.
Service: Friends and relatives are invited to participate in a time of sharing and remembrance on Saturday, Feb. 13, at 11 a.m. at the Andrew P. Ovsak Funeral Home, 190 S. Fourth St., Lehighton. Interment, Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Jim Thorpe. Call 9-11 a.m. Saturday. Contributions in his name may be made to the American Liver Fund, 75 Maiden Lane, Suite 603, New York, N.Y. 10038-4810. Online condolences may be offered at www.ovsakfh.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Sweeney
Ryan Bowman
February 10, 2011
Dad,
It's been a year, and very long year at that, I have my ups and my downs. Your granddaughter is a 1 and walking, I know you would have loved every minute of being a grandparent. I just wish would have different and wouldn't have left us all so soon, but I have to remind myself that your still with us every day. There isn't words that can express how much I miss you. R.I.P.
Love Always,
Ryan, Jaimie, Gracie, and Mom
Irma Sanchez
May 14, 2010
Nuestras mas sentidas condolecias para toda la familia. I know you will understand it, your Spanish was flawless.
Tus amigas que te recordaran siempre.
Irma y Charito Sanchez de Ecuador
Paul Wolf
March 13, 2010
I was saddened to hear of Rich's passing. Still remember a couple of wild rides into AVP & ERI. Rest peacefully, old buddy.
"Uncle Big Bad"
Mike Schatz
March 12, 2010
Captain Sweeney,
It was a pleasure to fly with you and thanks for all the 401K advice.
RIP and fly west,
Mike Schatz
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March 12, 2010
Captain Sweeney......
" To fly west,MY friend,is a flight we all must take for a final check".
Mike Libardi
March 3, 2010
Always enjoyed working with you. You were always straight up with us in Dispatch. It made our job easier and added more professionalism to the operation.
Bill McArdle
February 16, 2010
Hey Rich, I thought you would be there when I returned. I will miss you and our welcome home dinners together. R.I.P.
Tom & Kathy Cooney
February 16, 2010
Rich will be sadly missed. He and Tom shared a friendship dating back to high school. I was introduced to him about 7 years ago, and although we didn't see him often, we too became friends. He was a great person who didn't have a mean bone in his body. Our condolences go out to his family and to Nancy. God be with you, Rich!
Vince and Melanie Prete
February 16, 2010
So sorry to read of Rich's passing. We were privileged to have known you "Chard". Our most sincere condolences to your family.
Julianne Susko Dampman
February 16, 2010
Franny and family, I am sorry for your loss.Sounds like he was a great guy and will be missed by all. RIP Rich and Geeg. You and Geeg hold fond memories of days gone by, hang'in out in Chunk.
Lynn Sheehan
February 15, 2010
A very sweet man, he will be sadly missed.
February 15, 2010
To Frannie and Michael,
Remembering Chard ( Uncle Darts) and the good old days. R.I.P.
Jan
Andy and Joann
February 15, 2010
Thanks for all the fun....
Jeramy and Chris Kattner
February 15, 2010
Our thoughts go out to Rich's family. My husand intruduced me to Rich for the first time over 10 years ago. Though unfortunatly I didnt get to see him often everytime I did see him he was always very nice to me like we saw each other all the time. My husband and I were very sad to learn of his passing however were so happy that we knew him and what a very nice man he always was.
Patrick McGinley
February 15, 2010
Michael, Franny and family,
I am truely sorry to hear of the passing of my long time friend, Rich. Last week Carol & I were out of the country and couldn't attend the memorial service. We spent a lot of time fishing, hunting and partying. Your Aunt Mim would pick us up after Grade school on her way home and drop us off along the Chunk Crick. We would fish our way back down to W. Bdy. It was Rich's job to borrow some worms from Hermie Maeher's worm stash.
In High school he became "CHARD" and I felt he was much more intelligent than those that taught him.
I agree with Beanso, " save us a spot at the bar" but make mine in a plastic cup from a keg in the woods.
Stan & Nancy Kruslicky
February 15, 2010
To a great friend we may not have always agreed on everything but one thing we know you were a great pilot and instructor. We had a lot of great times on the ground and in the air.
Rich Zern
February 15, 2010
"Sweeney" was a good man.
We spent many a jovial afternoon talking of days gone by, his latest hot pepper dish (and if I was lucky would get to taste some), and life in general. Occasionally he would try to teach me the basics of investing, and I would try to teach him how to use his computer. He was always willing to help someone, for no other reason than, that he could.
Our friendly pool shooting rivalry was always fun, and if I was lucky would actually win a game from time to time. He was good.
Miss ya friend
Zerny (Rich Zern)
Rose Scott Solomon
February 14, 2010
Sorry to hear about Rich. I am a former resident of Jim Thorpe. I lived on High Street and went to Immaculate Conception School. My condolences to his family.
Max Acker
February 14, 2010
For chard , we were friends for years , traveled around a lot , and had fun and many experiene together and were friends also with Fran & Geeg and Nancy . I now live in Pattaya , Thailand .with my wife Sutida
We will miss you Rich .
From Max & Sue Acker
Rachel
February 13, 2010
I had the privledge to meet Ricard once not too long before I married his son, Ryan. He didn't know me much at all but he showed me all his antiques and souvenirs from his many trips he has been on. It was a pleasure to meet him, now may he finally rest in peace!
AL & SANDY YEAKEL
February 13, 2010
TO THE SWEENY FAMILY..RICH WAS A GREAT FRIEND TO SANDY AND ME.WE TRAVELED THE WORLD WITH HIM.TO THE ISLAND OF BALI WITH YOU AND GEEG. TO THAILAND HAD A WONDERFUL TIME THERE TOO.WE'LL MISS YA OL BUDDY. PAPASAN AND MAMASAN YEAKEL
Edward Coll
February 13, 2010
Save me a seat at the bar buddy. We'll be along in due course. Friends for over 50 yrs. Beanso
John Turnbach
February 12, 2010
I always considered Rich to be a really close friend. He visited me when I lived in Massachusetts and out here in California. One quick story about Rich. He flew up to Boston, MA to pick me up and we flew on to Bar Harbor, Maine. Our plans were to see Avadia National Park. We landed at the Bar Harbor airport, not very big and only one car rental place with 8 cars. We watched as the last car was rented out to 2 young ladies (very good looking I might add). It looked like we would have to walk into town, but Rich was quick on his feet. He offered to fly the two of them around Acadia National Park if they would drive us around while we were there. You can't beat a line like that. They accepted and we were able to enjoy a nice time while we were there. I will surely miss you Rich. You were a great friend. Say hello to my twin brother Paul when you see him. I will meet you on the other side someday. Rest in peace my friend.
Snerr/Decker Real Estate
February 12, 2010
We will sadly miss Richard; his friendship, his food creations, and the stories of his many escapades. He was a grand neighbor. Soar on to your next adventure.
Jaime Wescoe
February 12, 2010
I may have never got a chance to really get to know you but from the stories I have heard over the past week made me see what a wonderful person you are! I wish I would have had a chance to meet you under better circumstances but know that I love your son very much and I will always be there for him and also know that he loves you very much, and I do too! Rest in Peace!!!
Jaime
Len Short
February 11, 2010
There will never be another Rich Sweeney, I regret we never managed to get down to the Dominican Republic together. I did have the pleasure of talking to Rich just several weeks before he passed. You taught me a few things at Allegheny I won't forget.
Tom Elliott
February 11, 2010
Know that you will be missed. It was great working with you Rich.
Tom and Nicole Elliott
Dan Gasker
February 11, 2010
Whenever Rich would stop in He always had a story to tell of his adventures
Peace & Blessings my friend.
Lance Nothstein
February 10, 2010
Deepest sympathies out to "Chard's" family and friends. We can all feel comforted by fond memories of flying and hanging out with a fine man, taken from us too soon. R.I.P. Rich- you will always be in my jumpseat.
Dick Stonefeld
February 10, 2010
".. I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings"
Have a good flight, Rick
Kev/Kim McKeever
February 10, 2010
Someone so special...
...can never be forgotten. May you Rest in Peace!
February 10, 2010
The world has lost a beautiful person. My condolences to Frannie and Michael.
Harry
Randy Price
February 10, 2010
I always enjoyed flying with Rich. I have alot of fond memories from our ABE & AVP days.
I recently saw Rich in Dec. and laughed when he spoke spanish to my girls.
Randy Price
Andrea and Mike Milks
February 10, 2010
It was very sad to hear the news. We enjoyed flying with you .
Sandy & Charlene Shalters
February 10, 2010
Good bye to a good friend.
HARRISON BIEGE
February 10, 2010
AS FRIENDS OVER THE YEARS WE HAD SOME GOOD TIMES TOGETHER DRINKING A FEW BEERS AND TRAVELING TOGETHER.
Karen Chappell
February 10, 2010
Rest in peace Richard. God Bless you.
John Shipley
February 10, 2010
Rest in peace...It was a pleasure to have flown with you......J Shipley
Andy Eckert
February 10, 2010
I always enjoyed flying with Rich in my years at Allegheny/Suburban. He was a gifted aviator and a wonderful Captain with a great sense of humor. I particularly remember checking into hotels, and all of a sudden Rich would engage the front desk person in a Spanish conversation. It was comical to see the suprise on the person's face with Rich's ability to speak such fluent Spanish! Great memories!
February 10, 2010
Have a great last flight west my friend.
Arnie Tinjar
Claire McGinley
February 10, 2010
I smile when I think of my old West Broadway friend. Richard and my brother Pat shared many adventures during their school days. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I will miss "Chard". Claire McGinley
Claire McGinley
February 10, 2010
I smile when I think of my old West Broadway friend. Richard and my brother Pat shared many adventures.My thoughts and prayers are with you. Claire McGinley
Vince Krebs
February 10, 2010
I have very good memories of the two of us as buddies growing up in Jim Thorpe.
Vince Krebs
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