Cdr. Richard J. Wade, Jr. USN (ret.)

Dick was born on March 16, 1933, in Shenandoah, a small mining town in PA. First child to Richard & Helene (Dillmann) Wade. Shortly after Richard Sr. was injured in a mining accident. The injury, coupled with his Union activism, made moving the family to Philadelphia to find work more practical.

As a young child Dick was diagnosed with rheumatic fever which curtailed his physical activity but thanks to a gift of a Brownie box camera he developed a lifetime interest in photography. Growing up in the war years, also knew he wanted to join the Navy.

He convinced his parents to allow him to sign up for the Naval Reserve his last year in high school. Korean War breaks out within days, but he is deferred until graduation from Northeast Catholic Boys HS. His first duty station was Willow Grove NAS just outside of Philadelphia 1951 to 1954.

Dick met Mary Borek (Little Flower Girls HS) while roller skating and by September 12, 1953, they married at St. Joan of Arc Parish. Love match that missed 72 years by 12 days.

Dick’s naval career spans 30 years. He served aboard the USS Essex,(PAC), USS Hornet,(Bremerton WA), NAS Oceana (VA Beach), USS Valcour (Persian Gulf) Flag Ship, USC Cinema Program (Los Angeles), US Naval Photo Center (Washington DC), Armed Forces Mopic Team (Vietnam), Combat Camera ATL (Norfolk), Naval Missile Center (Pt Mugu CA), PAC Flt Camera Group (San Diego), PAC Audio/Visual Command (San Diego -North Island).

Dick was also a Charter and Founding Member of the Knights of Columbus Councils in Virginia Beach and here at Santa Sophia.

Loving father of 5: Diane Wade Bloomberg, Carol Wade Nickell, Patricia (Tish) Wade Dion, Richard T. Wade, Maureen Wade Knox.

Proud Grandfather of 8: Bobby Nickell, Jeffrey Nickell, Stacey Nickell Belnas, Richard B. Wade, Britney Wade Cardenas, Kellen Dion, Jessica Dion, Tess Wade Karras.

Happy Great Grandfather of 5: Parker & Brooklyn Belnas, Jackson, Kyah & Ryder Nickell.

Loving brother of 3: Thomas J. Wade, Helene Wade Clancy & Michael F. Wade.

Services are Monday, September 15, 2025

Funeral Mass

Santa Sophia Catholic Church

9800 San Juan St, Spring Valley, CA 91977

9:30 a.m. – Rosary, Knights of Columbus & Catholic Daughters

10:00 a.m. - Mass

Lunch Reception

11:00 – 12:45 p.m.

Immediately following mass in Prendergast Hall

Internment

Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery & Mausoleum

Burial with full Military Honors

1:30 - 2:00 p.m.

4470 Hilltop Drive, San Diego, CA 92102

On Dick's behalf donations in Lieu of flowers can be made to: 

Aid Village Children Africa (AVICA) 

c/o Rev. John Bosco Musinguzi, 

1140 Evergreen St, San Diego, CA 92106 - phone: (818) 488-4633