The Life of RICHARD D FARINA

Richard D. Farina Richard D. Farina, 97, of Wyomissing, passed away January 19, 2021 at Country Meadows, Bethlehem from complications of COVID 19. Born in Reading, he was a son of the late Serafino and Elizabeth (Tomeo) Farina. He was the husband of the late Irene (Czartorynski) Farina, who passed away in 2006 just before their 60th wedding anniversary. In his youth, he played baseball with the Penn Wheelman team during which time, they won 3 titles in the Reading Recreation Leagues. Richard graduated from Reading High school in 1941, and enlisted in the US Navy in 1942. He was stationed in California and Adak, Alaska and served aboard the USS Weehawken in the Pacific Theater during WWII. He was in Okinawa when the Japanese surrendered. He was employed as a production manager at Berkshire Knitting Mills for 24 years and Threshold of Berks County for 12 years. He retired in 1985. He enjoyed drawing charcoal portraits and colored chalk scenery, playing the organ and piano, golfing, bowling, gardening and tending to his exceptional lawn. He loved making and sharing his special dried and fried hot peppers and describing his method to everyone willing to listen. He was grateful for his long life and health and told everyone the secret to his longevity was hot peppers, olive oil, and garlic. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and in recent years, the neighbors in The Ridge. Richard is survived by two grand-daughters, Rebecca Kita, of Spring Township and Natalie Farina of Orlando, FL as well as a great- grandson, Miles Stallings and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, he is predeceased by his son, Larry Farina and daughter Diane Kita and his siblings – Carlo Farina, Catherine DeFazio, and Eleanor Solecki. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, February 4th at 10:00 AM at St. Ignatius Roman Catholic Church, 2810 St. Albans Dr. Reading, PA 19608. Interment will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery, 3139 Kutztown Rd. Reading, PA 19605 Henninger Funeral Home, Reading is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Disabled American Veterans or The Gary Sinise Foundation.