Richard Halicek, 95, of Ambridge, passed away peacefully on January 3rd, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Sewickley on September 8th, 1930, a son of the late Mary and Frank Halicek, who were immigrants from Czechoslovakia. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Ann (Charles) Glas and his brother, Frank (Sylvia) Halicek. He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Patricia, three children, Richard Halicek, Rebecca (Charles) Dallara and Rachel (Gary) Kleemook, nine grandchildren: Emily, Eric, and Elaina Halicek, Marissa, Laura, and Elizabeth Dallara, and Chadd (Cassandra), Jeremy (Rachael), and Jamie Kleemook; as well as five great-grandchildren, Penelope, Nathan, Layla, Ella, and Kade. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Donna Donofrio, wonderful Aunt Rozel, and numerous loving nieces and nephews. Richard attended Divine Redeemer Catholic School where he received his blessed sacraments and Leetsdale High School before moving to Ambridge, Pennsylvania, where he graduated from Ambridge High School in 1947. Following graduation, Richard began studying at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Apprenticeship Program, where he met his future wife. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1951 and was deployed to Korea, serving for two years as a Corporal in the 35th Infantry Regiment with the 25th Infantry Division. He spent his R&R in Japan where he purchased beautiful unique gifts for loved ones. After his Honorable Discharge from the Army in 1952, Richard returned home and completed his electrical apprenticeship with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 712. He worked as a skilled and successful journeyman wireman until his retirement in 1992. He was a proud member of Local Union 712 for 77 years.
In his spare time, Richard enjoyed flying Cessna planes, boating, beating everyone at lunch at checkers, and water skiing with his family on the Ohio River. He also enjoyed traveling to Sanibel Island and providing scuba instruction at the Sewickley YMCA. He co-founded the Halicek-Weber’s Dive Shop in Baden with his best friend, Dick Weber. He had a rare blood type and selflessly donated blood throughout his life to help others.
Friends will be received on Friday, January 9th, from 9:30 A.M. until a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 A.M. in the Good Samaritan Catholic Church, 725 Glenwood Avenue, Ambridge. Arrangements have been entrusted to the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc., 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge. The mass will be live-streamed as well at stluke.net>Resources>Good Samaritan Live 24/7. Interment will follow in the Good Samaritan Catholic Cemetery there with the Beaver County Special Unit providing full military honors. All are welcome to celebrate Richard and pray for his soul.
Richard enjoyed caring for animals and watching/feeding all the birds, squirrels, and chipmunks in his yard. He sat on his bench and spent lazy afternoons in the sunshine admiring his beautiful oak trees and saying hi to anyone who walked by. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Beaver County Humane Society, 3394 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to all of his caregivers from Visiting Angels, Vitas Hospice, and Cornerstone, who kindly helped him over the past year, and more recently, the Medical Staff of Heritage Valley Beaver. A special thanks to his neighbors, Rick, Gerry, and Jeffrey Hughes and Howard and Cindy Miller, for their never ending friendship and support, and to everyone in the community that he loved spending endless hours visiting and talking to.
He was always laughing, smiling, and was a bright light in so many ways. He will forever be loved and dearly missed.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Richard Halicek, please visit the floral store of the John Syka Funeral Home, Inc. by clicking here.
