Richard N. "Dick" Grandstaff

Of Wilmington, DE, formerly of Yardley, PA passed away peacefully on Monday, December 20, 2010, at age 86 in the care of Heartland Hospice with his family by his bedside.

Born April 9, 1924 in Binghamton, NY, the son of the late Leona and Waldo Grandstaff. He was predeceased by his brother, Robert W. and his sister, Norma Mershon. He leaves behind his wife of 61 years, Lois I. (Morley) Grandstaff and three children; Richard G. Grandstaff, Leslie J. Hurley, and Scott W. Grandstaff and five grandchildren, Jamie Delgado, Heather Grandstaff, Timothy Hurley, Amanda Hurley and Lindsay Grandstaff, and two great grandchildren, Joshua Delgado and Ian Culver, all of Wilmington, DE. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

At the age of 18, Dick joined the Navy and was assigned to the Destroyer S.S. Rodman, which led the first wave of invasions into Frances at Normandy and Cherbourg and Okinawa, Japan. The ship was hit by the Japanese and Dick was one of the few survivors rescued from the Pacific Ocean.

After leaving the Navy in 1946, Dick played semi-pro football until an injury forced him out of the game. Dick graduated from the Philadelphia School of Industrial Arts in 1951. In 1960, he and his family moved to Wilmington, DE where he joined the DuPont Company in the Advertising Department. Dick retired from the DuPont Company in 1986, but enjoyed working so he joined William Cann Printing Co. as a consultant until around 2004 at the age of 80.

Dick was a member of the Delaware Veterans Post #1 and the American Legion. He also belonged to the "Tin Can Sailors" and the Sons of the American Revolution.

Dick and Lois loved to travel especially to Canada. They were both avid fresh-water fisherman and Dick spent his childhood summers and adult years well into his 80's with family and friends, fishing and boating in Canada.

Dick was known for his quick wit and dry sense of humor. He could turn tears into laughter in seconds. Dick lived a rich and full life and was very blessed to have such a loving family and friends. We are all better for him being a part of our lives.

Dick's life will be celebrated at Mealey Funeral home, 2509 Limestone Road, Wilmington, DE 19808 on Monday, December 27, 2010. A viewing for family and friends will begin at 11 am, followed by funeral services at 12 noon. Entombment will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Wilmington.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Heartland Hospice House, 5661 Ochletree Lane, Wilmington, DE 19808. Please indicate on your check "In Memory of Richard N. Grandstaff".

www.mealeyfuneralhomes.com

302-652-5913

Published in The News Journal from December 22 to December 26, 2010