March 04, 1931 - November 08, 2014
Richard R. "Dick" Cerenzia Obituary
(Age 83)
Passed away peacefully at home November 8, 2014 with family at his side. He was born March 4, 1931 in Spokane to Bruno and Merle Cerenzia. He attended McKinley Grade School, Libby Jr. High and Lewis & Clark High and night school for economics. He started working for Safeway Stores in 1948 as a carryout clerk and advanced to Merchandising Coordinator. Dad worked for Safeway for 38 years with many advancements up to Division Pricing Manager. He went to work for Rosauers from 1986-1997 doing retail pricing.
Dad joined the Marine Corps in 1951 and was a member of the Rifle Team where he came close to setting many range records. He received advanced weapon training at Camp Pendleton before going to Korea. While fighting in Korea he received 3 Purple Hearts. When he came back after one year in Korea he went to Sniper School at Camp Tripoli. He came home in 1952 and joined the 3rd Marine Division as a rifle instructor and member of Division Rifle Team. Here is where he met Chuck Ladner. One day while setting in the weapons tent Chuck showed dad a picture of Chuck?s girlfriend, Helen. Dad asked if she had a sister and he said yes, her name is Joan. Dad eventually started writing her and that is where it started. Dad met his ?Gal? on April 8, 1953. Dad said he was in love with her the first time he met her. They dated until June 10 when he asked mom to marry him (mom was afraid and did not answer until the next weekend) when she said ?Oh Yes?. After this the 3rd Division was sent to Hawaii to train more for Korea, where they were to replace the 1st Marine Division. After 2 months additional training Dad was back on the rifle team as an instructor. Dad said one day the CO came around and said any Korean Vet that didn?t want to go back did not have to! He said I?m going stateside to see ?My Gal?. They made their wedding plans and were married November 7, 1953 in Fontana, CA.
They eventually started a family with twins first, ?Rich and Ron?, then Bob, Greg and a girl Pam. Mom and Dad where very active in all of their kids? lives overflowing into their grandchildren. On February 23, 2009 he lost ?his gal? after a 5 year battle with cancer. They were married for over 55 years and he never got over losing her. He said he talked to mom daily about what was going on and how much he missed her. Dad said ?his gal? was a fantastic lady and the love of his life.
Dad will be deeply missed by his 5 children Rich (Debbie), Ron (Linda), Bob (Jennie), Greg (Kristi) and Pam (Darryl); 9 grandkids Brandon, Kurk, Derek, Morgan, Kristen, Rick, Alisha, Shelly, Kyle, Louie, Jack, Briant and Miceal; 6 great-grandchildren Isabella, Sophia, Aiden, Aylah, Avery and Hattie.
Visitation will be 10-5PM Wednesday and 8-5PM Thursday at Heritage and a Funeral Service 12 Noon Friday November 14, 2014 at Heritage Funeral Chapel followed by private interment at the WA State Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Marine Corp Toys for Tots program.
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