Richard Walter “Rich” Daley, 85, died peacefully on June 18, 2024, in Ocala, Florida, at the Grace Davis Hall Hospice House. Rich was born May 8, 1939, in Jamestown, New York, to Frances Hazel (Leatherbury) Daley and Leonard Joseph Daley.
Rich was preceded in death by his loving parents, his first wife, Lynn (Truce) Daley (d. 2001), his brothers Ron Daley and Roy Daley, and his brothers-in-law Richard Truce and Joe Sirgo. He leaves his wife – Diane (Volzer) Daley; children, Kenneth W. (Amanda) Daley, Sharon K. (Steve) Weltner, David W. (Kathy) Daley and Richard J. (Angie) Daley; Sisters in law JoAnn (Steve) Wohlgemuth, Debbie (Bob) McClung, Karen (Mike) Bosley, Brothers in law Mike (Shari) Truce, and Mike (Bernadette) Sirgo; Grandchildren Alexandra Daley, Ashlynn Daley, Bradley (Stephanie) Weltner, Kyle Weltner, Brent (Shelby) Weltner, Kyle (Chrissy) Daley, Ariana Daley, Max Daley, Victor Daley; Great Grandson Luke Weltner. He also leaves his Stepchildren Kathy (Mark d. 2023) Pfeil, Kelly (Paul) Gulling, Kristen (David) Corson, and Roger Volzer; five Step Grandchildren, six Step Great-Grandchildren, six Nieces and six Nephews.
Rich’s family moved to Mantua, Ohio, in 1953 from Jamestown, NY. He excelled in sports and was an all-county football player in High School. He followed his older brother, Ron, to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where he met his first wife, Lynn. They eventually settled in the Akron, Ohio, area, where they raised their four children. At the same time, Rich accelerated his career as an insurance producer, an executive, and, ultimately, an agency owner. His insurance career took the family to Dallas, Texas, and Columbus, Ohio, before retirement called them to Hilton Head, South Carolina, in the late 90’s.
In the spring of 2001, Lynn lost her valiant battle with Ovarian Cancer, leaving Rich as a widower. The Lord moves in beautiful ways and led Rich to meet Diane Volzer late in 2001. Diane had recently lost her first husband, Roger, to Cancer. The two were united as husband and wife on May 3, 2002. They traveled, entertained, danced, and loved life with their expanded family until health issues slowed them down.
Both Rich and Diane enjoyed time on the golf course, and in his spare time, Rich was known for his photography and his love of baking. That man could pump out loaves of bread like a commercial bakery! Holiday and special occasion visits always featured Rich hauling around a basket of bread loaves or his famous Stromboli. In the last few years, Rich began the last chapter of his life – the challenge of living with the impact of dementia / Alzheimer’s Disease. Rich will be remembered for being the life of the party, his full belly laugh, always ready with a joke, or better… a prank. But if laughter was not the perfect cure for a situation, he was first in line to offer a hand to help a person in need. He is sorely missed, but his family and friends know that he has joined his family and friends who preceded him and are enjoying a warm slice of Daley Bread in their place of perpetual rest.
The family will hold a private service, interment, and celebration of Rich’s life on Saturday, July 13, in Hilton Head, SC. For friends and family who wish to pay respects and condolences, the family selected Hospice of Marion County’s Nancy Renyhart Dementia Education Program for donations in Rich’s memory.
The amazing people who work for Hospice of Marion County are stewards of a true mission-centric organization. The care they provided to Rich and his family as his health deteriorated was instrumental in providing him with the best possible end of life. Further, their mission is to provide education and support services to the people of Marion County, as dementia and Alzheimer’s affect a growing percentage of the population. The Nancy Renyhart Dementia Education Program is recognized as an industry-leading effort in dementia education, and its vision is to become a world-class Program that will improve lives long into the future.
The family has pledged a $50,000 donation to the Renyhart Program’s capital campaign to remodel and expand its physical presence in Marion County. This donation will secure the naming rights of the “Richard W. Daley Education Center.” This center will be the centerpiece of the Facility and will memorialize Rich’s Legacy forever.