Richard B. Searls' Obituary
Richard B. Searls, 72, of Powder Springs, passed away on July 24 in Austell, GA.
Rich was born in Jersey City, NJ to Richard and Mary Jayne Searls on November 26, 1945. He grew up in Kearny, NJ with his two younger brothers and two younger sisters. He married Joann Cocozza on November 7, 1970 in Belleville, NJ. He worked in Quality Control for multiple companies for over 40 years. He served in the Air Force and was stationed in Bangor, Maine before being Honorable Discharged. In 2002, he found is calling and was Ordained as a Permanent Deacon in the Archdiocese of Newark, NJ. He and his wife moved to Powder Springs in 2010, and soon after he began his service as a Deacon in St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Smyrna, GA. He became a member of the American Legion Post 294, as well as the Sons of the American Legion Post 294. He loved to play bingo and eat Swedish Fish, and was once an avid golfer. But most of all he loved spending time with his grandchildren.
Rich is preceded in death by his father, Richard and his mother, Mary Jayne.
Rich is survived by his wife, Joanna, a son Richard and his wife Lisa, a son Michael and his wife Sandy; a son David and his wife Giovanna; his brothers Ron and Brian with their wives Eileen and Cindy; his sisters Colleen and Lisa with their husbands Mike and Roger; his sisters-in-law Lucille and Marie; his seven grandchildren Gianna, Jake, Haidyn, Jordyn, Callie, Dominic and Joslyn; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A private viewing followed by cremation will be held on Thursday at Davis-Struempf Funeral Home & Crematory.
A Celebration of his life and memorial mass will be held on Friday, July 27 at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Smyrna, GA at 3:00pm.
Rich’s family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the doctors, nurses and caregivers at Kennestone Hospital, Signature of Marietta, and Tranquility at Cobb.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Richard's name to the American Legion Post 294.
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