Richard "Dick" Cady

1940 - 2015

Richard "Dick" Cady
September 3, 1940 - July 3, 2015
Santa Cruz
Richard "Dick" Cady passed away with his family by his side on July 3, 2015 a week after suffering a heart attack. In line with the life he always led, he put up an incredibly brave fight. Dick was born on September 3, 1940 in Oakland, California. He overcame a difficult childhood to become a successful and loving friend, husband, father to 7 children and grandfather to 9 grandchildren. Dick graduated from Watsonville High School in 1958. After high school, he joined the Air Force and was based in Alaska. On April 17, 1965, sometime after his discharge, he married the love of his life, Sally, in Wisconsin. The couple moved back to California a few years later. Dick became a police officer and fireman and later a dispatcher for the city of Sunnyvale. Being a risk taker, he decided to pursue his dreams and sold his house in order to buy his first Pool Hall, Red Carpet Billiards, in Santa Clara. Dick had taken up the game of pool at the age of 11 and had a great passion for it. It was his life's goal to perpetuate the sport he loved. Dick and Sally bought their second pool hall, Fast Eddy's Billiards in Santa Cruz County in 1980. The couple moved their 7 children to Santa Cruz in 1981.
Dick was well known in the community. He was big on first impressions. He sized people up immediately and he certainly left quite an impression as well. He rebelled against the idea of being "politically correct". Dick never held back his opinions. He had no filter and you knew how he felt about everything and everyone. If he didn't have the ability to tell you his opinion in person, he wouldn't mind writing you a letter. He was famous (or infamous) for his letters. If you are in receipt of such a letter, I'm sure you've figured out by the tone and all-capital letters that he meant to use the word "egregious" not "gregarious". Although his honesty wasn't always welcome, nobody could disagree that he was a very genuine person. A rare gem, really. And if he liked you and respected you, he would do anything for you. Except clean. He hated to clean. But anything else.
Dick had no fear. He thought he could do anything. He wasn't afraid of failing and sometimes he did. But his courage and tenacity also brought him great success and admiration. In addition to being an accomplished business man and a loving and dedicated father, he was an avid golfer, a talented pool player, a skilled poker player, a zealous coach (they didn't call him "Tricky" for nothing), the perfect pancake maker and the most committed and enthusiastic SF Giants and 49er fan on the planet. He had season tickets to both franchises. Family vacations were often spent at spring training camps and he (and his family) was also present for many momentous occasions such as the 89 earthquake at the Battle of the Bay and to witness "the catch" by Dwight Clark.
An acknowledgement of Dick's life wouldn't be complete without mentioning his love for animals. A true measure of a person's character is the way he treats animals and Dick was very compassionate towards his pets, who were certainly considered part of the family. To the late and great parakeet "Taffy" (and his successors Dick named "Taffy II" and "Taffy III) to his most recently adopted one-eyed german shepherd fatefully named "Elvis", Dick was incredibly devoted to his fur/feathered babies.
Dick had a great zest for life that will be sorely missed. Although he is well known for his grumpiness, he also enjoyed life to the fullest. The consummate family man, he was the loudest cheerleader at every grandchild's sporting event, danced at every wedding and his smile lit up every birthday party and holiday dinner. Dick earned a certain type of knowledge that could only be gained by living such a full and colorful life. He imparted his wisdom (such as: never take a bet unless you know you can win) onto his children who will pass it onto theirs. He has truly left a legacy to be proud of. He is survived by his wife of 50 years Sally, his children, Todd, Jill, Tami, Kim, Ricky, Randy and Kami (Goo), his grandchildren Taylor, Vanessa, Akira, Carly, Dexter, Kyler, Collin, Kenley (Peach), Brayden and his dog Elvis.
A celebration of Dick's great life will be held at the Seascape Golf Course, 610 Golfclub Drive in Aptos, at 3:00pm on Saturday August 1, 2015.