Richard Joseph Foco

Foco, Richard Joseph Bay City, Michigan Richard Joseph Foco was carried to his heavenly home in a chariot of fire on the eve of October 15, in the year of our Lord 2016, confirming his lifelong desire to make it through the pearly gates with embers and smoke coming from the heels of his shoes and back of his pants legs. His flight was announced by an accompaniment of heavenly host singing "Be Not Afraid". Richard bypassed purgatory with the annotation of his charioteer that the past seven months balancing and battling multiple physical challenges in and out of the hospital counted as time already served. He is survived by his loving daughter Michelle Hunter wife of Dean Hunter and devoted son Hunter James husband of Jolene Hennessy James; his baby sister Mary Ellen Britton his grandchildren Samuel Foco, Jeremiah Foco, Christy Foco, John Mecum, and Joseph Mecum along with ten wonderful great grandchildren. Richard was loved and will be dearly missed by his closest companion and high school sweetheart Mary Jo Sequin and the entire Sequin family who took him in as one of their own upon his return to his boyhood hometown of Bay City Michigan following the passing of his wife of 57 years Jeannette who was no doubt waiting at the pearly gate with open arms (though possibly holding a rolling pin in one hand and a skillet in the other wondering what took him so long and if he and Jim were out at the Casino playing the slots again). Jeannette was joined at the gates to meet Richard by his adoring sister Barbara Moltane and his admiring oldest son Paul. Along with his adoptive Michigan family, Richard bade farewell to a number of other sorrowful kin: Lynn and Robert Law whom (in biblical tradition which Richard would enjoy) begat Michael, Steven, and David Law (husband of Jen bearer of compassion) all of whom found favor in his sight. Upon his arrival Richard delivered a full report to "Uncle Jarv" on the goin's on of his three children Barbara Jo Britton, Sandi Britton Dubois, and Kristi Britton Molinaro as since Jarv's passing Richard has been responsible for maintaining Santa's Naughty and Nice list for their family - though the contents of that report are not available for publication this close to Christmas. There are several whose names were omitted from this print - mostly because in his Gospel, John never refers to himself by name but only as the one whom Jesus loved most and by omission you now secretly know yourselves as the ones whom Richard loved the most ... and also because of all the members of the family to assign the task of writing Richard's final note, it was given to the newest family member. A Korean War Veteran and published poet, Richard's 33 year career as a Personnel Specialist was spent in Denver Colorado where he developed the state employee categorization infrastructure. However, his greatest accomplishments related to his cherished work as a father husband and friend. He fed the hungry and opened his home to the homeless. He lived his faith for all to see. He loved and was loved by many, but truly loved me the most. Richard is now holy and wholly healed; Still, he will be missed, by all who knew him. The intent of this notice is not to alert you of his death but that he truly LIVED. The Funeral Liturgy and Rite of Committal will be celebrated Thursday, October 20, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Parish 2956 E North Union Rd, Bay City, MI 48706. Celebrant will be Rev. Fr. George J. Serour with private interment in Mesa Cemetery, Mesa, AZ. Members of the United States Air Force and the Bay County Veteran Council will conduct Military Honors at the church following the Mass. The Rosary will be recited Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. followed by the Vigil for the Deceased. The family will be present at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. on Wednesday to receive visitors from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Mr. Foco will be taken to the church on Thursday to lie in state from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider a memorial to Saint Teresa's Missionaries of Charity Missionaries of Charity Convent •Superior: Sr. M. Maria Jyoti Mandi1014 S. Oak St. Little Rock, AR 72204 Phone: (501) 663-3596or St. Jude's Children's Hospital. www.gephartfuneralhome.com