Richard Gordon Word

Richard Gordon Word, 82, died on 4/20/2011, after battling lung cancer. Richard was born on May 1, 1928 in Anniston, AL, the only child of the late Clyde C. Word and Frances Pauline Word (Norman). While attending high school in Cleveland, OH, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served from 1945 until his retirement in 1988. From 1979 until 1988 he maintained inactive status as a COW4 in the U.S. Navy. Richard was a lifetime member of the VFW and Disabled American Veterans. He also belonged to the American Legion, the Fleet Reserve, and the Masonic Lodge. Richard returned to Cleveland and married Betty Kathryn Somers (deceased in 2002) of Stow, OH on December 8, 1950, and they raised two daughters. Richard was employed as an electrician and held various positions until he retired from Highland View Hospital in Warrensville Township, OH as Chief of Plant Operations. He also held the position of Sergeant by Warrensville Township Police Dept. until he retired in 1979. After his retirement Richard and Betty relocated to St. Cloud, Florida. Richard served as a councilman for the City of St. Cloud from 1982 – 1984. He remained active in the community and in local politics and served as Mayor of St. cloud from 1988 – 1992. Richard also served on the St. Cloud Pension Board from 1993 – 2002. Richard married Jane Pawelec in 2004 and they remained residents of St. Cloud until his passing. Survivors include his wife, Jane (Pawelec); his daughters, Rebecca Miller (Charles) of Ohio and Linda Word of Georgia; his grandson, Dr. Michael Sinisgalli of Zurich, Switzerland; two great granddaughters; a step-daughter, Lynn Mirles (Mario), and step-sons Robert and David, two step-granddaughters and five step- great grandchildren. Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, April 26th at 10AM at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 700 Brown Chapel Rd, St. Cloud, FL. The family will receive friends on Monday, April 25, 2011 from 4-8 pm at the Osceola Memory Gardens Funeral Home 2000 13th Street, St. Cloud, 407-957-2511. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Hospice of the Comforter, Altamonte Springs, FL. Visit www.osceolamemgds.com for online condolences to the family.

Richard Gordon Word

May 1, 1928 - April 20, 2011