John Albert "Bert" Richards

John Albert (Bert) Richards, 88, left this world to be with his beloved wife on Wednesday. He was the widower of Catherine Regan Richards, they were married for 53 years.

Born in Pittston, Bert was the son of the late Jack and Margaret Collier Richards.

He was a member of Our Lady of the Eucharist parish and the Knights of Columbus. He was an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous, and celebrated 50 years of sobriety. Bert was a 1951 graduate of St. John's High School and the University of Scranton (1956).

In the late 1950s, he worked as an engineer at ABMA in Cape Canaveral, FL, during the Saturn and Jupiter rocket launches; and later at Tobyhanna Army Depot.

He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. Catherine and his daughters were the loves of his life, and he would do anything for them. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, working in his "laboratory," and is most famous for jumping off the garage roof into the pool.

Bert is survived by his daughters, Mary Kate Richards, Pittston, and boyfriend Christopher Collins; and Sheila McCormick and husband, Daniel, Downingtown; two grandchildren, Harper and Eloise McCormick; and several cousins.

The family extends its gratitude to the staff at Wesley Village and Hospice of the Sacred Heart for the excellent care Bert received.

The funeral will be Saturday, with Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Eucharist Parish, 535 N. Main St., Pittston, celebrated by the Rev. Michael Bryant. A viewing will be held Friday, Sept. 9, from 3 to 7 p.m., at the Neil W. Regan Funeral Home Inc., 1900 Pittston Ave. For your safety and the safety of others, masks will be required at the viewing.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, attn: Development, 4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, 15213; or The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, www.carnegielibrary.org/give; or Our Lady of the Eucharist Parish, 535, N. Main St., Pittston 18640.