Obituary of Richard Joseph Falise

Richard Joseph Falise born March 2, 1925 in Tacoma, WA quietly and peacefully passed away August 1, 2015. He is survived by his loving wife, Dolores Falise of 60 years, Daughters: Charlotte (Ward) Nelson, Doreen (David) Ackland, Patricia Boyer, Janice (Sid) Falise-Colby, Elisa (Kevin) Rizzolo; Son: Charles (Lisa) Boyer, Jr. ; Grandchildren: Brenda Nelson, Joshua (Stephanie) Lucas, Gregory Nelson, Kristina Nelson, Tiffanie Ireland; Great-Grandchildren: Alexander (Adrienne) Nelson, Jeremiah Bowden, Nolan Ireland, Devin Lucas, Amaya Kelley, Sage Kelley, Lana Ireland, Kasia Hylton. Remembrances may be made in Richard's name to the "Discretionary Fund" at St. Luke's Memorial Episcopal Church, Tacoma WA. Dad would often say…"when I started at Boeing we were building propeller planes! Can you believe that!" He was a parts expeditor for 37 years. He enjoyed hiking and rock scrambling on Mt. Rainier, and was a member of the Tacoma Chapter Mountaineers. He called that mountain his 'big ice cream cone'. On the mountain he found peace and enjoyed the meditation and the fellowship with his close friends and family. Volunteering with the Mountaineers he often led the 5-mile hike in Pt. Defiance Park. It was one of his greatest joys to be able to tell about his experiences on the mountain! Luckily he never went nose to nose with any of those bears on the trails, thank you Lord for letting him live to tell the tales. The family enjoyed many vacations camping at Cougar Rock Campground and Longmire, as well as trips to Seaside, Cannon Beach, Newport and travels East to the sand dunes and the myrtle wood factory. Oh and don't forget taking us down that dark elevator to see those smelly sea lions in that cave South of Tillamook - thank goodness there was fresh ice cream on the way back North at the Tillamook Factory to drown the fishy stench! Still remember those fresh made cones mmm thanks dad! His family is very proud and honored of his serving our country as Sergeant in the Army, 949th ENG AVN TOPO Co. Ft. Lewis and our country will forever be grateful to this great soldier who led his platoon safely through war by drafting bombing maps while in Guam. Dad was a champion roller-skater and ice dancer back in the day, and could really hit a tennis ball! He enjoyed teaching his children and grandchildren these sports as well. Closer to the end, even in his struggles, he was doing the TWIST!!! Chubby Checker watch out, here he comes! Always strong in his faith, he was a deacon and elder of Trinity Presbyterian and Bethany Presbyterian Churches, and ushered for over 20 years at First Assembly of God, Life Center Tacoma. Once a month he went on shut-ins at the local nursing homes, and was ordained to give communion to those that could no longer attend church in person. His wish before dying was to make sure each and every one of his children and family members knew the Lord and would be reunited with him in heaven. When he couldn't get out to his favorite places anymore, he continued to be a good shepherd and wrote a monthly Christian newsletter article at his assisted living. He always said, he felt that the Lord kept him on this earth to help his family in the assisted living deal with losses of their spouses, getting through their hard days, and to cheer them up and offer hope and peace. As he grew older he felt a strong sense of missing his dear friend and cousin Elsie, and joined St. Luke's Memorial Episcopal church to have fellowship with her in their last years on this earth. He loved his new church family immensely and we will forever be grateful for their support and love. He's at home now with the Lord, family and friends that went before him. We know we will one day see him again. We love you and miss you. Until we see you again, his loving wife Dolores and all his children and grandchildren.