Richard Nead

USAF MSgt, Ret, and former Marine Richard F. Nead of Rensselaer, NY, was discovered on 8/13/2019 that he had passed away peacefully in his sleep over the weekend of 8/10/2019. Richard served 5 years in the Marines with tours in Korea and about 16 years in the USAF with tours in Vietnam. He was in Aviation Maintenance and was one of the first in corrosion control and set up several locations. Memories he often shared included tugging the aircraft carrier USS Wright into port with ropes, literally having his leg pulled by Gen Curtis LeMay while working partially inside an F4U Corsair, and leading the shop that initially painted the sharks teeth on the F-4 Phantoms similar to the Flying Tigers, but only after insisting the commander's request be in writing as the teeth were anything but inconspicuous on camouflaged aircraft. He was injured when the fully loaded squadron of B-57 Canberras blew up at Bien Hoa Air Base in 1965, starting with the plane adjacent to the one he had been working on and had held up the mission. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed his "walks in the woods" [hunting] when he was more active. In his later years he enjoyed his collection of movies and music. He is predeceased by his parents Julius and Doris (Reed) Nead, his brother Charles, daughter-in-law Catherine (Loranger), and his devoted wife of 60 years Beverly (Burton). He is survived by his brother Jack, son Glenn, daughter-in-law Heidi (Phillips), grandson Thomas "TJ", and granddaughters Miryam (Coleman) [John Hayes] and Debbie (Coleman) as well as several nieces and nephews. Viewing is 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm 8/30/2019 at W J Lyons Funeral Home, 1700 Washington Ave, Rensselaer, NY. Funeral Mass is 10:00 am 8/31/2019 at the Parish of St John the Evangelist and St Joseph, 53 Herrick St, Rensselaer, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Circle of Mercy, 11 Washington St, Rensselaer, NY or to a charity of your choice.