Richard W. Lachowicz, Sr.

RICHARD W. LACHOWICZ, aged 94 years, passed away peacefully at his home Thursday,
December 14th. He suffered from mild dementia which worsened suddenly after Thanksgiving.
Richard was married just short of 50 years to his childhood neighbor Dorothy. Sadly, Dorothy
passed in September, 2021.
“Poppy Richard” was father to Rick (Lynn), Bruce (Bonnie) and Brenda Lyn. He was the proud
grandfather to the late Kristina Lachowicz, Jilian Hippel (Harry) , Jessica Lachowicz and Lara
Mustari. Poppy was a great-grandfather to both Eddie and Amira. Richard had one brother, the
late Robert Lachowicz and one niece, Susan Slatina (Eddie).
Richard was born in Philadelphia in 1929 to Frances and Polish immigrant, Ignatius. He
graduated from Frankford High in 1946. After high school, he and his buddy, Johnny Hrinko
opened an auto body repair shop in some rented neighborhood garages. They did this until the
Korean War broke out and Richard enlisted in the US Navy. The Navy was a chance for Poppy
to see the world. He was stationed in southern California but would get to see Japan and he
even spent three months in Hawaii. After the war, he and first wife Patty, stayed in San Diego
where their son Rick was born. Soon they would begin to miss the East Coast and moved back
to Philly where the newlyweds could begin their adult lives.
Richard and Patty purchased a building lot in Eddington for $500 where Patty's father, Frank
Slowik, would help construct the new home on June avenue. Soon after the house was
complete, the 26 year old took a position as a State Farm Agent in 1955. Poppy would go on to
build a successful agency in Bensalem and retire after 46 years at the age of 71.
Retirement meant Pop could spend even more time on his cherished boat the “Hunky Dori” in
Cape May, New Jersey. He spent many nights there on his boat but missed his wife Dorothy.
(He and Dorothy were married in 1971).
In 1989, he and the wife purchased a house on Village road in the Villas near Cape May. Only
then would Dorothy join him because she never enjoyed sleeping on the boat. Now Richard
could fish for flounder and weakies for days on end because Dorothy was nearby.
As a husband, Richard was devoted to Dorothy. So much so, he gave up drinking in 1982.
This made her very happy.
Richard was a loving father and grandfather and like most of us, seemed happiest when
family was close. Poppy Richard was a kind and wonderful man who was truly loved. So be
happy for Poppy Richard. He lived 94 years on God’s green earth and left here peacefully.
Hopefully we will all enjoy such an eventful and happy life.
Relatives and friends are invited to his funeral Wednesday, Dec. 20th at Saint Charles
Borromeo Catholic Church at 1731 Hulmeville Road in Bensalem, PA.
The viewing begins at 10 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 AM. Interment will be at
Resurrection cemetery in Bensalem.

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