Richard James Whittier age 73 of Sewickley passed away Nov. 18, 2017 at the VA Hospital in Oakland. Richard was born in New York, NY on July 24, 1944 to the late Helen Gallagher & Frederick Whittier. A 1969 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a BS in Biology Degree, and a June 1972 Graduate of Drexel University with a Masters Degree in Environmental Science and was a retired Safety Officer with OSHA. A Naval hospital corpsman and Vietnam War Veteran.  He was a member of St. James Church and choir. Previously he sang tenor with the Cardinal Wright Oratory Choir, Heinz Chapel Choir and St. Augustine's Choir at Our Lady of the Angels church in Lawrenceville. Richard enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping, was an avid Steelers, Pirates and Pitt Panthers fan, a wonderful baker and cook, he also enjoyed all kinds of gardening, kept honeybees and advocated their protection from pesticides. Survived by his children: Tim (Heather) Whittier of Valley Center CA, Laurel (David) Zemper of Southbury CT and Rachel Whittier of Pittsburgh; 5 grandchildren: Celisha, Cameron & Cory Whittier, Evan & Andrew Zemper; 2 sisters: Mary (Dan) Sadler of Atlanta GA, Joan (Duane) Whittier (Moeller) of Tasmania; 10 nieces and nephews: Michelle, Stephen, George, Patrick, William & Heather Whittier, Anne Weardon, Virginia Sadler-Mayfield, Katherine Johnson and Lily Moeller. A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, November 25, 2017, 10am at St. James Church, 200 Walnut St., Sewickley PA. followed by Inurnment with Military Honors in Resurrection Cemetery.                            

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