Obituary of Richard A. O'Toole

Richard "Dick" O'Toole, affectionately referred to by his grandchildren as "Papa Bear", died peacefully in his sleep with loving wife Chickie by his side, early Tuesday morning on October 19th. He had resided for two years at Hamburg's Lakewood Senior Care facility following a stroke. Dick celebrated his 80th birthday in June surrounded by relatives and with many well wishes from residents and staff. Dick was born on June 6th, 1930 in Rockville Centre, Long Island to Mabel Estelle and Thomas O'Toole. He was younger brother to Bob and Joan. In high school, Dick was active in sports, participating in football, wrestling and pole vaulting. He enlisted in the army in 1951 and later transferred to the "Green Beret" Special Forces as a paratrooper. After serving in the Special Forces for three years and training in Africa and Germany, he returned to the States and attended trade school to become an electrician. He was employed as a foreman with Barto Electric for 40 years, working in schools, office buildings, cathedral churches and Grumman. Dick was born and raised in Lynbrook, graduating from Malverne High School. It was on Long Island that he met and eventually married a Rockville Centre girl Eleanor Grandin, known to all as "Chickie". The couple married June 17, 1956, and purchased the O'Toole family homestead, where they raised four children, lived for 40 years and considered neighbors family. Their oldest child, Kelly, now lives in California, is the vice president of Presidio Financial Partners. She resides with Kelly Hunt and their three children- Johnny and Summer from Kelly's deceased husband John Lawson and Hunt's little boy Wyatt. Son, Tim O'Toole, a New York City fireman, resides in East Setauket, Long Island with wife Michelle and four children; Tricia, a cadet at West Point Military Academy, and sons Timmy, Tommy and Christian. Third child, daughter Kiernan, lives in Eden, New York. Kiernan, a Speech Language Pathologist for West Seneca Central Schools is married to Robert Pierce and mom to three children; Kendall, Lainy and Declan. Youngest child, Shawneen, is married to Bruce Bowman with three children; Ellie, Kegan and Daks. She lives in Alaska where she is employed as a Special Education aide with the Copper River School District and partakes in the family's commercial fishing business. Previous to their Western New York move, Dick and Chickie retired to Coconut Creek, Florida. In retirement, Dick enjoyed the Florida weather and being joined with friends in an active senior community. Dick continued to enjoy travel and sports. He and Chickie travelled frequently to visit their children around the country and when in Europe. They arrived for births of grandchildren and attended athletic competitions, concerts and activities of those busy families. At Dick's last residence, Lakewood- he enjoyed Bingo, musical entertainment and daily visits from a smiling Chickie. Dick could often be seen hi-fiving, waving, winking and saluting residents, those visiting love ones and caring staff members. A memorial to celebrate his life is being planned for late December. Arrangements have been entrusted to Laing Funeral Home, Inc 2724 W. Church St. Eden, NY To send an e-condolence log onto www.laingfuneralhome.com