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Richard Orefice Obituary
AGE: 61 • Jefferson Twp.
Richard A. Orefice, Jefferson Twp., passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at his parents' home in Port St. Lucie, FL after a long battle with ALS. He was 61 years of age. Richard was born in Brooklyn, NY and moved to the Lake Hopatcong section of Jefferson Twp. at the age of 10 and lived here since. Mr. Orefice was the owner/operator of Dock & Waterfront Construction of Lake Hopatcong, retiring in 2012 due to his illness. He was a longtime member of Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Lake Hopatcong.
Survived by his two sons: Richard, Jr. of Fairfield, Airman James M. of Minot, ND. Parents, Edward, Sr. and Barbara Orefice of Lake Hopatcong. Three Brothers: Edward, Jr. of Sparta, Donald and wife Denise of Parsippany, Robert and wife Phyl of Henderson, NV. Longtime Companion Jane Neenan. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Visitation will be held 3-5 & 7-9pm on Thursday, April 9, 2015 at the Bermingham Funeral Home, 216 S. Main St., Wharton. A funeral mass will be held 10am on Friday, April 10 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 204 Espanong Rd., Lake Hopatcong. Interment will follow at North Hardyston Cemetery, Hamburg, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations in Richard's memory to The ALS Association, Greater Philadelphia Chapter, 321 Norristown Road, Suite 260, Ambler, PA 19002 would be appreciated. Offer condolences at www.BerminghamFH.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Orefice
Renee Frisina Dyer
May 26, 2025
You will always have a very special love and place in my heart. Our paths have crossed so many times throughout the years.--So will our cross again someday on that highway to heaven. Is't never really been goodby for us. It's always been until we meet again.
wm heiser
March 31, 2020
When the sun is slowly setting and your feet no longer trod may your name through eternity be remembered in the autograph book of God.
The Heiser's
Lake Hopatcong
WIilliam Heiser
March 31, 2020
In the short time I known Richie I got a feeling like I new him a life time. He was that type of human being. Richie had a way about him, an infectous smile, with hey, how you doing? Hows the family? So I feel strongly that one of my many great moments I can look back on in my journey of life is that I met and got to know Richie Orefice. To all those close, near and dear to Richie think of him in kindness as he dwells in the house of the Lord forever. I hope in time we will see each other again. Say hi to the angels for me.
Wm. Heiser
Lk. Hopatcong,N.J.
Bill Heiser
March 31, 2019
Its been a while now since Richie's passing but like to reflect back in time to the times we shared, laughs we had and embrace those memories we enjoyed. Richie I am looking forward to seeing you again in that better place.
Tom Lowndes
April 27, 2015
Richie, I will always remember the good times on the lake and the "barge". You are one terrific human being. My deepest condolences to your family.
Kristen (Boomer) & Lenny Vandenhandel
April 17, 2015
So sorry to hear of Richie's passing. He was a kind soul with a good heart and he will be missed dearly. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Orefice family.
BILL HEISER
April 14, 2015
WE HAVE LOST A GREAT HUMAN BEING. I FOR ONE FOUND RICHARD ALWAYS WITH A SMILE AND ALWAYS POSITIVE.IT WOULD BE A GREAT WORLD IF ALL PEOPLE WERE LIKE HIM. OUR HEART GOS OUT TO RICH'S FAMILY.
Barb Perry
April 13, 2015
My deepest sympathies to the Orefice family. I only met Rich this year, and I'm so very happy I did get the chance to meet him. Despite his battle with ALS, he had such a wonderful, positive attitude. He was almost always smiling and made me laugh often! I miss our conversations and I miss him. What a brave, incredible man he was. RIP Rich...I hope your passing was just like you heard it would be!
Joyce & sons Inwood
April 12, 2015
So sorry to hear of Rich's passing. I didn't know about the ALS, just that he had so bravely weathered the cancer of his Jaw.Much too young a man to be taken from his family so soon. God be with you in your time of sorrow.
Bill & Polly Ferguson
April 11, 2015
What a great kind hearted man he was. When we saw him in church or around town he was always asking about the kids . Never mind himself will remember the good times on the lake and great jobs on the dock . Rip Rich prayers to the family .
Lynne Scanlon
April 11, 2015
Richie was an extraordinarily good man. Kind. He beat back cancer of the jaw in his 40's, only to succumb to ALS in his early 60's.
He moved me and my possessions to my dock on Halsey Island on Lake Hopatcong in New Jersey in 1986. He did a major repair on my dock in the late 1980's. He treated me to dinner at the Walpack Inn in the late 90's, and he humored me by stopping at every farmer's vegetable stand along way. He would wave his straw hat from his barge as he boated by my house in the summers.
Richie knew every dock (he'd built them or repaired them) and every house and every homeowner, from the chairman of the board to folks with whom he had gone to local schools.
He held my hand the first winter I owned the house, and walked me across the huge expanse of lake from the mainland to Halsey Island. I was terrified. He boarded up my house after a break-in. No one else would help me.
Never once did he complain about his deteriorating condition.
His religious beliefs sustained him.
Condolences to his family and his long-time companion, Jane.
Georgina Copanzzi
April 10, 2015
RIP Richie. You will be missed.
My deepest sympathy goes out to the Orefice family. Till we meet again.
Judy Marshall
April 10, 2015
My deepest sympathy to Rich's family. His smile and kindness will be missed. May he rest in peace.
Trish & Paul Cooper
April 10, 2015
Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family.
Richie, you will be missed by many. From childhood memories on we will always remember your smile, love of God and zest for adventure throughout your life. You fought a courageous battle against such a horrible disease, but you are now free again, you've arrived in your eternal home - Heaven. RIP our friend.
Linda Vaughn LaStarza
April 10, 2015
Please accept my heartfelt condolences.
April 10, 2015
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO RICHIE'S FAMILY DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME. HE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT. 'OUR LOSS IS NOW HEAVEN'S GAIN'
WITH DEEPEST SYMPATHY
GARY, MARGO LOPES & FAMILY
Ken Graff
April 9, 2015
Always a Brother... Too many good times to list but will always remember. God bless You and your family,
Walter Pearson
April 8, 2015
May Rich rest in peace. I pray for the family of this great man, that their grieving might turn to celebration of his life in due time.
Debbie DeFeo
April 8, 2015
Rest in peace Rich.
Veronica Randazzo
April 8, 2015
I will always remember the school bus rides with all of us. You will be missed...Now it's time to rest...
April 8, 2015
So sorry for your loss . Rich was a great guy I had the pleasure of growing up with. Heaven just got a new shining star. God speed my friend. Donna Blide Garay
April 8, 2015
sincere condolances from the staff at cenral morris neurology
Tom & Joan Elbel
April 8, 2015
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Rich Kenstler
April 8, 2015
So sorry for your loss. Rich was a great guy and will be missed by many. He no longer has to suffer. RIP Rich.
David Tasker
April 8, 2015
My deepest sympathy and condolences goes out to the Orefice family. Richie was a great guy and will be missed!!!!
Michelle Rose
April 8, 2015
Like the rose that blooms so brightly, yet so briefly,
So, too, do you, Rich, return to His soil to bloom forevermore...
Peace and comfort to all who knew this beautiful man...
April 7, 2015
When I saw Rich's name in the obituaries, I knew that I know part of his loving family--Donald and Denise, from the ski club many years ago.
I remember Rich as being vibrant, exhuberant, and it always felt like a good time being in his presence.
Please accept my condolences at this time of terrible loss.
Geri Silk, Morris Plains
Lori Esposito
April 7, 2015
So sorry to hear of Richies passing. Prayers to his children and family.
Roy Soit
April 7, 2015
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Bob Snowflack
April 7, 2015
Finally at Rest my Brother....Peace and Prayers for the Family....
I will never forget the good times we had growing up together, working together and playing together. I will always remember your war cry of "Charley's" as will so many of your friend's and team mates.
Skeeter Renninger
April 7, 2015
The best times I had was playing softball with you. You made us all laugh and your infectious personality kept all of us in a good mood because it was all about having a good time. How right you were, it was all about having a good time and those good times will never end for you now my friend, Peace is with you.
Kris & Joe Guiles
April 7, 2015
Always a smile and a kind word. Rest in Peace Rich
Maureen McGlinch-Netzer
April 7, 2015
Prayers of condolence for the family. May you find peace.
Ed Chapman
April 7, 2015
Condolences to Rich's family
Karen & Jim Tweedley
April 7, 2015
Rich will be missed by his friends around Lake Hopatcong. Our deepest sympathy to his family and other friends. He no longer has to suffer with the pain he was having and can be comfortable once again. Rest in peace Rich!
Maria Gamble
April 7, 2015
Thank you Rich for so many great summer memories and good laughs. God bless you and your family. No more suffering. Til we meet again!
Dianne Becker(Muller)
April 7, 2015
My sincere condolences to Rich's family. I pray for peace for your hearts.
April 7, 2015
Remember Rich in High School & before, and have seen him a few times after & knew he had Cancer but not ALS. My sympathy to family
meredith weir
April 7, 2015
I am praying for your family and friends and share in your sorrow rich was a good kid in high school and I know he is finally at peace and free from our Earthy ills that imprison us . May God comfort you and send his angels to surround you with strength and peace. Meredith Weir.
Donna Migliaccio
April 7, 2015
Remembering Rich from our days in high school and reunions. He was a wonderful friend and will be missed. My deepest sympathy and prayers to you and the family.
Regina Makowski-Breda
April 7, 2015
Ritchie was one of the kindest people I have ever known. Even when the ALS was at its worst, he always had a smile and fought the good fight. Rest in peace Ritchie, you will be missed
Betsy Ficken
April 6, 2015
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
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