Richard Laurence Distin

Richard Laurence Distin

Ventura, CA

It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of much loved and long time Ventura resident Richard Laurence (Dick) Distin on January 29, 2019. Dick was born August 2, 1937 in Syracuse NY to Harold Distin and Ethel Rear Distin. He was the youngest of five children. He was a graduate of Syracuse Technical High School and then enlisted in the US Navy. Upon discharge he came to live in Ojai with his sister, Shirley, and her husband. It was there he met his first wife Janet McEgan with whom he had his three wonderful children, Tracy, Brandy and Todd. After that marriage ended he married Vivian Liberto Cash and helped raise her four children, Rosanne, Kathy, Cindy and Tara. Vivian passed in 2005. Dick's daughter Brandy worked with and introduced him to Janiece Bulgin and they fell in love and married in 2009. Janiece brought to the marriage her two children, Kym and Heidi.

Dick was a well known personality in Ventura County. He was a Ventura Police officer, then a private investigator and a travel agent. He was a practicing Catholic and was a member of Sacred Heart Church. Dick was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone and one of his life mottos was "kindness costs you nothing". His sense of humor was contagious and he loved to make people laugh.

Dick is survived by his loving wife Janiece, sons Tracy (Anne), Todd, daughter Brandy Anderson, step-daughters Kymberle Carlson and Heidi Miller, grandson Sean Distin, granddaughters Crystal and Amber Anderson and great-granddaughter Averie Distin. Step-grandsons Spencer Kurisu, Lukas and Drake Miller. Numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews and great-grand nieces and nephews and countless dear friends he considered family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Laura, Shirley, Betty and brother Bob, nephew Phill Tomeny, niece Barbara Ludlow, great niece Michelle Ludlow, and nephew Roy Peebles.

Holy Mass for Dick will be held February 9 at 10AM at Sacred Heart Church Ventura with a reception immediately following at Biedermann Hall at the church. Dick was cremated according to his wishes. Dick's favorite colors were black and red so please feel free to wear those colors to honor him.

The family wishes that in lieu of flowers a donation to a charity of your choice be made in Dick's honor.