Obituary of Richard J. Washington

Barnegat: Richard J. Washington, age 69, died on Tuesday, February 18, 2014, surrounded by his wife and siblings, both Washington and McCreesh. Born and raised in Newark, NJ, Rich and his wife, Maureen lived in Plainfield and Middlesex prior to moving to Barnegat following their retirement in 2007. Rich attended Broadway Junior High and Essex Catholic High School in Newark. He continued his education and obtained Blue and Black Seals while a member of operating Engineer's Local 68. Prior to his 2007 retirement, Rich worked at Aventis/Sanofis in Bridgewater. Prior to that, he was employed at the A&P in Edison and AT&T in Bridgewater. Rich was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus in Dunellen. He belonged to a number of Irish/American Civic Organizations and played an active role in the Newark Saint Patrick's Day Parade for many years. Rich and Maureen sponsored a young boy from Ireland through the Project Children Organization and provided him with two wonderful summers. Rich was a member of the Giblin Association for 30 years and in 2003 was honored for his dedicated service. Rich was an enthusiastic golfer and was an active member of the Barnegat Raider's Golf League. Some of his fondest memories were of playing golf in the McCreesh Family General's Open each year, a tournament named for Rich's beloved Mother-in-law, Mary McCreesh. His love for golf was topped only by his love of travel. Rich and Maureen have traveled to almost every corner of the earth. He was an avid Jet fan and season ticket holder. Rich is predeceased by his parents, John and Nellie Washington; his brothers and sisters, John, Leo, Edward, Joseph, Patricia McGarry, Margaret Meier and Eileen Washington. Survivng are his beloved wife of 37 years, Maureen McCreesh Washington; his brothers and their spouses, Bernard of West Caldwell, Eugene and Elizabeth of Iselin, James and Elizabeth of Barnegat, Thomas and Carol of Middlesex, Michael and Mary of Sanford, NC, Frank and Diane of Parker, CO; his siters, Ellen and Patrick Sullivan of Dayton, Ohio, Mary Matthews of Roselle Park, Elizabeth Lahey of Cranford and Kathy and Kenneth Blaha of Colonia as well as many,many nephews and nieces, both Washington and McCreesh who held him in such high esteem. Funeral services will begin on Saturday, February 22nd at 8:30 am at Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung, NJ followed by a 9:30 am Funeral Mass at Our Lady Mount Virgin Church in Middlesex. Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery, Scotch Plains. Visitation will be on Thursday from 7-9 pm and on Friday from 2-4 & 7-9 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Coaches Care, Inc., 101 Devon Lane, South Plainfield, NJ 07080.