Richard Robert Villegas, 85, of Jessup, died Saturday June 23, 2018 at Geisinger Danville, after many years with a long illness. His wife and soulmate Frances died nine years before him on June 23, 2009. There’s no doubt she was waiting for him when God called him home.

Born April 30th, 1933, in Peckville, son of the late Pasquale and Linda Papparella Villegas, he was educated in Eynon schools. He served in the Navy during the Korean War as a 3rd class boatsmen, and received many medals of honor. Prior to retirement, he was employed by Scottie Electronics and later General Dynamics.

From a very young age, Richard was a great provider. He lost his father when he was five years old, and he and his brother became the men of the household. They went to work to help take care of their mother and sister, picking coal, operating paper routes, and doing odd jobs for money to feed their family. At the tender age of 9, he left the state and traveled to New York to pick beans, sending all of his earnings home to his beloved mother. Even after retiring from General Dynamics in 1997, he couldn’t sit at home. Instead he went to work for Haband in Peckville, and later for his niece Katrina’s husband Pietro at his restaurant, where “Uncle Coy”, as they affectionately called him, was always a source of entertainment.

He met the love of his life through a coworker and friend, Dina Tomcykoski, who introduced them. He would often tell stories of how he fell in love with Frances the moment he first saw her. He could still recall what she was wearing the night they met. They married on Sept. 4, 1971. After her death, he could be heard singing many songs to her from his room, particularly “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart.”

Richard was infamous in his home for being the source of laughter, whether it was through song, story, or yelling at his television at a show or movie he was watching. He and his daughter, Gianna, had a tradition of watching “It’s A Wonderful Life” together every Christmas Eve. He will be deeply missed by those who loved him and the world is a darker place without him in it.

His daughter Gianna would like to thank his long time best friend Andy “Scalar” Scalamonti for all the help he gave and true friendship he shared with her father. Scalar’s best buddy “Dickie” loved him very much. Special thanks must also be given to Dr. Susan Biancarelli for many years of caring for Richard.

Surviving are his daughter Gianna and Mike, at home, daughter Tami, sister Dolores, nephew Joe, who was like another son to him, sister in law Dorothy, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his son,. Richard Jr., brother Manuel, nephew Jim “Jimbo”, great nephew Joe Jr., great niece Julie, and great nephew Jason Corazzi.
Graveside services will be conducted Friday July 6 at 1:00 pm in St. John’s Cemetery, Jessup.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to and are under the care of the Arthur A. Albini Funeral Home, 1003 Church St. Jessup.