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Richard Lepore Obituary
AGE: 64 • Perrineville and Ocean Grove
Richard Bruce Lepore, age 64, of Perrineville and Ocean Grove, NJ, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, August 25, surrounded by his loving family, after a long and valiant battle with cancer.
He was pre deceased by his father, Alfred "Skippy" Lepore, his mother, Hazel Smith Lepore, of Avenel, NJ, his brother in law Dennis T. Quinlan, of Jamesburg, NJ. and his sister in law Sue Quinlan of Escondido, CA. He is survived by his wife, Teresa Quinlan Lepore, their son Christopher John Lepore, of Perrineville, NJ, his brother and sister in law, John and Donna Lepore, of Brick, NJ, his brother in law and sister in law Dr. Lee Richard Pargot and Arlene J. Pargot of Monroe, NJ, his sister in law Ellen Quinlan of Jamesburg, NJ and his brother in law Ronald Quinlan of Escondido, CA and was blessed with a loving and supportive family of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, a great niece, and many cousins. He was also blessed by the love and support of many dear friends.
Richard was born in Jersey City, NJ, and after the family moved, resided in Avenel, NJ. He graduated from Colonia Senior High School, in the Class of 1970, and married his high school sweetheart, Teresa Lee Quinlan, also of Avenel, in 1975. The couple celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary in September of 2015 with a trip to Ireland. Richard worked for KB Toys for 34 years, starting with the company when it had only 25 stores. He participated in its growth until it had 1100 stores, and held every store position from Assistant Manager through Manager, District Manager, and eventually Regional Vice President. Already having a family owned business on Main Avenue in Ocean Grove, NJ, "Gingerbreads", when "Smugglers Cove" became available for sale, Rich saw this as an opportunity to continue to work in more of a retirement setting where he could be his own boss and work for himself. Shortly after establishing his business, Rich again found himself in a leadership role when he became President of the Ocean Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, a position he held until his death. Tragically, "Smugglers Cove" was lost in the devastating Main Avenue fire in February of 2015.
Relatives and friends may call at the Ocean Grove Memorial Home, 118 Main Avenue, Ocean Grove, on Sunday, August 28th, from 2:00 to 6:00 PM. A mass of Christian Burial will be offered at the Church of the Ascension, 501 Brinley Avenue, Bradley Beach, on Monday, August 29th, at 11 AM To send a condolence message, please visit www.oceangrovememorialhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Lepore
Sponsored by Ocean Grove Memorial Home.
Donna Komsa
September 18, 2016
My thoughts and prayers go out to Terry and her family. Rich always greeted me with a smile and encouraging words. I will remember him with fondness.
Stephen Humphreys
September 11, 2016
Fantastic Man and fantastic boss at KB Toys.
Was extremely shocked and sadden to read he had passed.
My heart and prayers go out to him and his family.
God bless
Victoria Siemon
September 1, 2016
Rich was a very special person to have so many people say such lovely things about him. My deepest condolences to Teresa and his family. Thinking of you often.
Pete Lungo
August 30, 2016
I would like to offer the Lepore family my deepest and most sincere condolences and may the soul of Rich rest in peace. After the tears have dried and the goodbyes have been said, all we have to hold onto our happy memories that we've shared with Rich throughout the many Green Friday's and long holiday days and nights and the years we spent together as a family at Kay Bee Toys. These memories is what will keep him alive in our hearts and in our minds, and they will continue to live on, through us.
Rest in peace my friend.
Pete Lungo
Bill Harrow
August 29, 2016
Very sad to hear of Rich's passing. The mentoring Rich did has helped me through my career. I referred to him often as the finest leader I ever worked for.
Bob n Lyn Higgins
August 29, 2016
We were fortunate to meet Rich and Terry about 8 years ago as part of our Irish circle of friends. This lead from an initial acquaintance very quickly to a close friendship where we shared many musical and social events. Along the way we began to understand more about Rich and his impact on the success of his family, his importance to friends both in good times and bad, and his leadership and guidance in his business responsibility and ultimately his leadership in Ocean Grove. We saw his pride in helping his family realize personal accomplishments, from Terry's increasing musical talent on many instruments to their business success in Gingerbread's and Smuggler's Cove. We saw his immense personal strength in dealing with cancer.
On a personal level we will miss the lively conversations and the evenings of music and dining which Rich was the center of. We will always see him in his place next to Terry by the fireplace at St Steven's Green Public House while we play in the session group.
We will most importantly miss the friendship with a man who we came to admire. As the line from an old traditional tune, The Rare Auld Times describes it, Rich is one of our Heroes of Renown. Rest in peace Rich. You will always be with us in spirit and in our hearts.
Barbara Muzychka
August 28, 2016
Main Avenue in the Grove will never be quite the same without our Smugglers Cove and the always pleasant and smiling Rich. He made an impact on so very many and changed the world for the better just by his passing through this life. We were all so fortunate to have known him.
August 28, 2016
Rich was a very kind and gentle person who always had good things to say.
Our condolences to all the families,
Todd and Kim Mccullough
Patricia Darnsteadt
August 28, 2016
Rich was a wonder and kind person. When we were in the Grove, my husband and I would always stop in and visit Rich to see what new item he had or stop in and just talk to him. He had a very kind heart. He loved his wife Terri and he loved Ocean Grove. A couple of weeks ago I saw a pirate flag where the store was and it proved that the town loved this special person Rich. He will always be in our hearts. God bless Rich. You will truly be missed.
Judy Alberta
August 28, 2016
Richard was a wonderful man! His presence in Ocean Grove added a happy spark to our community and he will be dearly missed. It was so much fun working with him these past few years. My heart and prayers are with Terri and the family.
Carol gilliland
August 28, 2016
Very sorry to hear,may he rest in peace.
Carol Rizzo
August 28, 2016
I got to know RIch as an active member on the Neptune Economic Development. His love of the community was palpable and he brought common sense to many discussions. He will be sorely missed.
Donald Sullivan
August 28, 2016
I worked for Rich for over 20 years at KB Toys and considered him a friend. One of the hardest things I ever had to do was tell Rich I was leaving the company. He brought out the best in us. To this day he is the best leader I have ever known. I posted something on Facebook and got a bunch of responses from former Managers and District Managers who felt the same way..
Don Sullivan
18 hrs
Just found out that Rich Lepore passed away on Thursday. I worked for him at KB Toys for over 20 years and kept in touch up until recently. He was a great mentor to me and dozen of others. He literally built KB Toys. I never had a better boss in the retail field. The KB Family lost a great person...My condolences to his Family..
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14Michael Spoonauer, Judy Sacco and 12 others
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Comments
Margie Stoerrle-Venturi
Margie Stoerrle-Venturi Don Sullivan I am so sorry to hear about your friend. I know you spoke of him often and had very fond memories of your time together. No doubt his contributions made this world a better place.
Like Reply 17 hrs
Karin Rose- Calhoun
Karin Rose- Calhoun So sad , Rich gave me the opportunity to grow in KB Toys.
His leadership was amazing .
Wish I could pay my respects in person. ...See More
Like Reply 2 17 hrs
Bernice Lawlor
Bernice Lawlor This is very sad. He must have been a amazing mentor. I am so sorry for your loss Don.
Like Reply 15 hrs
John Charlesworth
John Charlesworth Great supervisor
Like Reply 15 hrs
Carlo Gulino
Carlo Gulino Don , I couldn't have said it better , he will be missed
Like Reply 1 15 hrs
Cathy Grunow
Cathy Grunow So sorry to hear. He was a great person.
Like Reply 15 hrs
DonnaMarie Moschetti Lupi
DonnaMarie Moschetti Lupi Sorry for your loss Don..There is no better thing that someone can say about a friends passing than he made a difference in his friends life and will be missed dearly..well said Don.
Like Reply 15 hrs
Bradley Sheffield
Bradley Sheffield Very, very sad. He was a great man that touched so many lives. I don't think he even realized him much influence he had for so many of us that worked for him.
Like Reply 1 15 hrs
Betsy Verzicco Bentley
Betsy Verzicco Bentley What a great man, such sad news. I loved to hear him tell stories about you Don. My condolences to his family.
Like Reply 14 hrs
Patricia Recchio Phillips
Patricia Recchio Phillips Sorry to hear about your loss.
Like Reply 14 hrs
Laura Feemster
Laura Feemster Oh know ......I am so very sadhe was an awesome guy!
Like Reply 13 hrs
Suzanne Brown Davenport
Suzanne Brown Davenport So sad that he's gone. I was blessed to be a part of the metro region team at KB Toys. Rich was a great leader! Truly the best!!
Like Reply 1 12 hrs
Troy Rowland
Troy Rowland Wow...prayers to his family...loved Rich
Like Reply 11 hrs
LuAnn Verderose Fries
LuAnn Verderose Fries So sorry for your loss.
Like Reply 9 hrs
Patt Hawk
Patt Hawk So many of us have him to thank for the people we have become. Definitely taught us so much. Prayers and hugs to all his family and friends.
Like Reply 9 hrs
Michael Spoonauer
Michael Spoonauer Sorry
Like Reply 8 hrs
Patrick Moran
Patrick Moran I feel the same way Don I was the only store he supervised for my first 5 years at Quaker Bridge #55. I really respect him he was a tough boss but always fair and gave me great advice. He taught me how to be a good manager while taking care of my people. I last spoke to him on my birthday that we both shared March 31st. He was the one who recommended that I go to 5below. I will miss him.
Like Reply 1 8 hrs
Tina Henderson
August 28, 2016
I send my condolences to your family, I met you briefly, May God give your family Peace, and be with them, We are like Angels,on a mission, May your wings be big, fly with all your might, Rest in Peace
August 27, 2016
I worked with Rich at KB Toys in the 1990's. He was one of the kindest and considerate people I have ever met in Retail. I send my prayers and condolences to his family.
Sincerely,
Maureen Ostacher former KB HR Manager.
Valerie Veres Plaska
August 27, 2016
I can remember Ritchie from the time I was about 5, when we all belonged to the Colonial Drum and Bugle Corp. He was friends with my older sister, Eileen. Terry was her Maid of Honer, and a good family friend. The paths of all of us and our families crossing on different plains in the once small town of Avenel. He had kind, supportive words when I lost Eileen and David. I wish to extend the same to his family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Jamie Stange
August 27, 2016
I worked at KB Toys in Atlanta in the early 90's. I met Rich at the airport in NJ or NY and interviewed for a position in CT over 20 years ago. Rich was sweet and funny. I knew he was someone with whom I could work. I respect him immensely. Even after I moved out of his area he was always kind to me and always had a calming warmth about him. So sorry for your loss. Rich is one of the good guys for sure. Sincere condolences.
Laura Massaro
August 27, 2016
"Our hearts go out to Rich and his family. Ocean Grove lost a great man, leader and friend. May he rest in peace. Rich will be truly missed."
Nancy Gorby
August 26, 2016
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends. I will always remember Rich for his smile and how wonderfully he treated my daughter, Krista. Rest in Peace dear soul.
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