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Richard DeCair Obituary
February 21, 1937 - April 30, 2025
Richard Lawrence DeCair, 88, of Miami, Florida, passed away on April 30, 2025.
"Dick," also known as "Rick," and most often "Uncle Dick" because he was like family to so many, was born on February 21, 1937, in Muskegon, Michigan, to Lawrence Halsey DeCair and Mildred Ware. After high school, he served in the U.S. Army as a Radio Mechanic in Fort Gordon, GA, after which, he received his bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University. He later earned his master's degree from the University of Virginia.
A "jack of all trades," Dick held many professional and civic positions throughout his life, including Executive Director of the Virginia Municipal League; Executive Director of the Dealer Bank Association; Vice President for Public Finance at New York based investment firm, Blythm Eastman, Dillion Company; and Development Director for the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, where he oversaw the fundraising efforts (or "friend-raising" as he would say) for the Capital Campaign in the late 1990s that led to the then-largest expansion of the Lighthouse in Little Havana. Most recently, Dick served as Business Manager for Java Holdings and GRABER Realty Group in Miami.
Civic-minded and community-focused, Dick always strived to get involved and give back, including in the late 1950s in his then hometown of Colon, Michigan, "The Magic Capital of the World," where he led efforts to install new lights for the Colon Dam pedestrian bridge. His boisterous efforts led to the local townsfolk calling the final reveal "Dick DeCair's Dam Lights!" He also won a Telly Award for the Ray Charles PBS Benefit Concert for the Miami Lighthouse that he co-produced in 1999. Indeed, he wore many hats throughout his illustrious life!
Dick is survived by daughter, Anne Snead, of Henrico, VA; son, David DeCair of Chesterfield, VA; former spouse, Mary Janet Yeatter; brother, Larry DeCair of Plattsmouth, NE; and grandchildren Shelby (Madison) Mallory, Lindsey Madison, Brooklyn Snead, Morgan DeCair, Amanda Hamill, and Matthew Hamill.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, June 6, from 4-7 p.m., at The Village Room of the Miami Shores Country Club, at 10000 Biscayne Boulevard.
In lieu of flowers, please make lifechanging memorial gifts to Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, in memory of Dick DeCair, @ MiamiLighthouse.org, or contact Heidy Farinas at 786-362-7510.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard DeCair
Sponsored by Gregg L. Mason Funeral Home - Miami.
2 Entries
Ron German Jr.
June 5, 2025
I was not surprised to learn of Uncle Dick's passing, although I felt dismayed as it seemed I was the last person to find out, 2 or 3 weeks after the fact. He was my great uncle on the Jarratt/DeCair side of the family, making me his great nephew. I stayed in touch with him for the past 25-ish years, but despite living relatively close (Key West) my last visit with him was in 2004. He enjoyed hearing about my money-finding adventures, he loved emails that were centered around word puns and he really enjoyed the numerous pictures I would send him. He spoke very highly of Shane, who I've never met. He never talked much about his past endeavors, so I never really knew how accomplished he was until I read this obituary. I did most of my growing up in rural SW Lower Michigan in the 1970s & 80s. My fondest memory of him is from around 1979 or 80; he was visiting Grandma & Grandpa DeCair & all the rest of the family/families in and around Colon, MI, and he took me to get an ice cream at the local Dairy Queen. He drove us around Colon as we ate our ice cream and he told me things about the area and his life when he was a youngster. I miss communicating with him, but I'll get over that in time, I guess. It's my hope that his wonderful spirit manifests in everyone who reads this.
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Elly du Pre
June 4, 2025
My condolences to Dick´s family and many other friends. For me, his memory will be a blessing. Dick had an amazing gift to make deep friendships. He was a great colleague at the Miami Lighthouse and remained a friend after we both moved on to other positions. May he rest in peace knowing that he truly made a difference to countless people with his many talents.
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