Dan M. Reichard Jr., in his “97th” year, went to be with the Lord on April 19, 2018. Dan was born on September 4, 1921 in Poland, Ohio to the late Daniel and Emily Reichard. He was the oldest of four children born to deaf-mute parents.
Dan enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II and was on the beach patrol during the Invasion of Normandy. Dan served in the Africa, European and Pacific Theatres and was part of the occupation force in Japan after Hiroshima. After the war, he transitioned into civilian life and attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
He married Dolly Marie Pallotta and moved to New Jersey to raise their 6 children. He was one of the founders of GFI Genfare and held the position of Vice President for Sales. After over 35 years of marriage, Dolly passed away from cancer.
Eventually he met and married Sharon Huffman McCloy and moved to Central Ohio. On the 50th Anniversary of D-Day, the memories of the war overwhelmed him and Sharon encouraged him to put his experience in writing. He spent many days and nights recalling his WWII experience and shed many tears to author the book, “Time To Go”.
Dan was a gifted portrait artist and enjoyed sailing on the ocean with his family every summer. He authored “Grandpa Speaks,” a weekly essay that began with his grandchildren but quickly grew to nearly 100 recipients of such each Tuesday. “Grandpa Speaks” was one of his ways of sharing his strong Catholic Faith, patriotism, US history and love of country.
He was a longtime parishioner of St. Joseph Cathedral where he served in many capacities. He had a highly respected career in sales related to public transit and was inducted into the American Public Transit Association (APTA) Hall of Fame in Washington D.C. He was the recipient of many other awards and recognitions.
Known as “Dapper Dan,” he was a gentleman’s gentleman. He is preceded in death by his parents, Daniel and Emily Reichard, first wife, Dolly, and sister, Virginia Lewis. He is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Sharon McCloy-Reichard; children, Debbie Burk, Daniel (Elizabeth) Reichard III, Douglas (Mary) Reichard, Sandra Petraccoro, Suzanne Christensen, John Reichard; stepchildren; Stephanie (Joe) Waldron and Dr. Stanley (Heather) McCloy Jr. ; 20 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; brother, Clifford Reichard and sister, Mary Lou Palmison; many nieces, nephews and friends.
Friends may call Tuesday, April 24, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Egan-Ryan Funeral Home, 403 East Broad Street where a Rosary Service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday, April 25, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Cathedral, 212 East Broad Street. Burial to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, 6440 South High Street, Lockbourne, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any of the following: The Semper Fi Fund www.
semperfifund.org, Prayers From Maria prayersfrommaria.org, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital www. stjude.org.
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