Richard Spugnardi

Richard Spugnardi
Richard Dick Spugnardi, 71, of Ft. Myers, FL, formerly of Center Valley, PA, loving husband of Penny (Kittredge) for 48 years, passed away peacefully on Dec.24, 2013 at St. Lukes Hospice. Dick was born in Boston to Rose (Mignosa) and Arthur Spugnardi. He graduated from Nichols College. He proudly served in the U.S. Marines. Tragically, he was exposed to contaminated water while stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC. The recent Center for Disease Control report confirmed a long suspected link between the base water and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Dick began his professional career as a regional salesman at Hubbell Incorporated. He worked in Allentown, Chicago and Blacksburg, VA. Tiring of plane travel and missing his wife and two young sons lives, in 1978 he began work for his only other employer, Diversified Lighting Associates. An outside salesman covering northeastern PA, he became successful due to his diligent work ethic, attention to detail, and developing substantive relationships with his customers, who became his friends. He ascended to President in 1987 where he grew sales exponentially until he retired in 2011. A mentor and a friend to all of his employees, he always made time for anyone who asked. A phone call into him would always, without exception, be returned. An active golfer, he was the 2012 and 2013 Member-Member Champion at Saucon Valley Country Club. He sincerely enjoyed meeting new people. If paired with a golfer whom he had yet to meet, it was not uncommon for Dick to become good friends with him after 18 holes. He enjoyed the same relationships with the caddies and staff. Dick was very active in his sons lives. He enjoyed nothing more than golfing with them and watching their sports careers. He and Penny would travel the country going not only to home games at Villanova and Rhode Island, but also away games. Later in life, he enjoyed watching his grandchildren play sports in the Lehigh Valley. He was an active member of St. Thomas More, then Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary while in PA. Upon retiring he was a member of St. Vincent DePaul in Ft. Myers, FL. He faithfully served in any capacity asked of him, including Eucharistic Minister, leading fundraising efforts, and volunteering. Survivors: Wife; sons, Richard of Bethlehem and his wife Bonnie, Jeffrey of Arlington, VA and his wife Indu; grandchildren, Caroline, Tori, Christian and Sofia; sister, Marie Bowles of Worcester, MA; in-laws: Mary and Terry Moody, Joan and Bob Haynes, and Kathy and Tom Tetro; nieces and nephew: Ann Waddell, John Bean, and Cheryl Bowles. Services: A viewing on Friday, December 27th from 4-7 p.m. at Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad Street, Bethlehem. Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Assumption BVM Church, 4101 Old Bethlehem Pike, Bethlehem. Burial at Holy Saviour Cemetery, Bethlehem, immediately thereafter. Condolences may be made at www.connellfuneral.com. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, Dick wished to educate students at DeSales Univeristy, where he sat on the Board of Trustees. Contributions may be made to the Annual Fund.