Obituary of Richard G. Wirth

Richard "Dick" Wirth was born in 1934 to Anthony and Cecilia Wirth. He grew up in Cleveland, Ohio with his sister Audrey and attended Gilmore Academy, Notre Dame and John Carroll University. He met Clara and the rest was history. They married and spent 64 wonderful years together. While he thought he was called to a life with the church, his love of engineering won out. He "worked" (because he'll tell you he just had fun all those years) for Fluid Dynamics Devices, Louis Allis and Magnetek. He and his wife Clara raised their family in Toronto, Ontario, Medfield, Massachusetts and more recently, Thornton, Pennsylvania until he moved to New Jersey after Clara's death in 2023. Always an active member of his church, Dick was ordained as a permanent Deacon in the Roman Catholic Church in 1993. He gave countless hours of service to his church and fellow members. He was also active in the community as a member of the Lions Club; a favorite memory is watching him arrive via helicopter to play Santa for the kids at Christmas time. Dick and Clara enjoyed world travels, their wine group and time spent with their children and grandchildren, especially if there were clams or cheesesteaks involved. He was an avid gardener and found much joy digging in the dirt. Dick will be fondly remembered for his quick wit and humor. He was always ready with a joke or quip that was bound to make you smile. He will definitely be remembered for his kindness and care for others. Dick is survived by his children, Gregory (Laura) Wirth, Debra (Thom) Detweiler and Michelle (Fran) Verdi and their grandchildren Benjamin, Hannah, Ryan (Francesca), Anthony and Francesca. All are invited to an evening Prayer Service at at St. Cornelius Roman Catholic Church, 160 Ridge Rd., Chadds Ford, PA beginning at 5:00PM on Thursday, June 6th followed by a visitation from 5:30-7:00PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11am on Friday, June 7th at St. Cornelius Roman Catholic Church. Burial will follow at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Cemetery with a reception following in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, suggested donations in his memory to Mepkin Abbey, 1098 Mepkin Abbey Rd., Moncks Corner, SC. 29461. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.paganofuneralhome.com