Richard Francis Pellicane, Sr., age 88 years, of Readington Township, NJ, died peacefully on Sunday, August 13, 2023, at Sentara Princess Anne Hospital, Virginia Beach, VA, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in New Brunswick, NJ, on April Fools Day in 1935, son of the late Joseph and Josephine Markano Pellicane, Richard was raised in Metuchen and Bound Brook, NJ. He had resided for many years in Bound Brook prior to moving to Readington Township in 1973.

With a sense of humor second to none, Richard was a true entrepreneur. Along with his father, older brother Joseph Jr. and younger brother James, Richard owned and operated Pellicane Liquors in Bound Brook, NJ. After they had moved on from the liquor industry, Richard owned and operated Pellicane’s Pub in Raritan, NJ, for many years. Currently he was the Owner and President of R. Pellicane Properties, Inc., in Bound Brook.

His hard work was all to ensure he could provide for his cherished family. Joining hands in marriage with the love of his life, Nancy Ann Rumph Pellicane on October 27, 1957, the two shared sixty-two amazing years of marriage prior to her death on May 3, 2020, with Richard by her side. Their union was blessed with two children, Diane and Richard, Jr., who were the light of their father’s eyes. His love for them was only eclipsed when he earned the title of “Grandpa” and then “Great-Grandpa”, and he was always happiest when spending time with them.

Generous with everything he had, Richard had many hobbies ranging from small-game hunting to fishing. He enjoyed being on the water as well as driving fast cars and motorcycles. His “testing” of his Kawasaki motorcycle engines are the source of many hilarious stories and a few gray hairs for anyone who saw how fast he was able to get them to travel. He also enjoyed skeet shooting and spending time at the beach in Manasquan, NJ, where time with family-along with a shot of VO and a Budweiser-was the source of many amazing memories.

Though his passing came suddenly, his legacy of making the best of any situation, holding onto faith, and being there for others will live on through the entirety of his family and friends.

Surviving is his son and daughter-in-law, Richard F. Pellicane, Jr. and Kimberly; his daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Dennis McKearney; his brother, Joseph Pellicane, Jr.; his brother and sister-in-law, James Pellicane, Sr. and Barbara; his sister-in-law, Doris Zielinski; his grandchildren, Christine & Christopher, Erica & Jay, Timothy, Cole & Kate, and Cassidy; his great grandsons, Evan and Austin; several extended family members; and many dear friends.

Richard will lie in repose on Saturday, August 19, 2023, from 10:00-11:00 a.m., in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

A Life Celebration service will take place at 11:00 a.m., at the funeral home, and to which all are welcome.

Entombment with military honors will follow the service at St. Magdalen Mausoleum, 94 North Main Street, Flemington, NJ, and again, all are welcome.

You are encouraged to visit Richard’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his honor may be made to the Hunterdon Cancer Center via the Hunterdon Medical Center Cancer Foundation, 9100 Wescott Drive, Suite 202, Flemington, NJ 08822, or online by clicking HERE.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

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