Richard J. Herterich

Richard Joseph Herterich passed away on Friday, October 31, 2025 at the age of 85. He was born on December 29, 1939 in Orange, NJ to the late Agnes (Dunn) and Bernard Herterich. He resided in Edison, NJ for many years before moving to Colonia, NJ in 2021.

Richard is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Ann (nee Placco); his siblings: Clare O'Grady; and brother John and his wife, Janice; his son, Richard, and daughter, Kelly Dorey; Peter Gualtieri, Michael Gualtieri, Geri Rembish and her husband, Ron, Lorraine Gilligan and her husband, Kerry, and Joanne Klamm and her husband, Steven, and his "bonus son", Derek Wenskoski. He leaves behind 13 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and many nieces and nephews who will all miss him dearly.

He was predeceased by his parents, Agnes and Bernard, his brother, Robert and wife, Jean, his brother-in-law, Robert O'Grady, and his granddaughter, Faith Mary Rembish.

Richie, aka Dick, aka Herbie, graduated from Our Lady of the Valley High School in Orange, NJ in 1957, where he lettered in basketball, baseball, and football. After high school he served in the Army from 1959-1964. He found his calling as a fireman with the Orange, New Jersey Fire Department, retiring as captain in 1992. He also worked many years as a carpenter building houses with his partner and lifelong friend, Anthony. After work, you could often spot him hanging with his buddies at Paulie's Luncheonette in Orange, NJ.

A devoted and beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Richie found joy in playing golf, especially with his brother John and his good friend BJ. He loved watching any type of sports and was a huge NY Giants and Cleveland Indians fan. He loved playing board games with his grandchildren and was fiercely competitive, never "letting them win". He enjoyed vacations down the shore and traveling with his wife. Spending time with his friends in the Catskills was a trip he looked forward to for many years. If you were lucky to be at a party with him, you could find him cutting it up on the dance floor, especially during the Electric Slide! Richie was one of a kind. He was loved beyond measure and will be missed by everyone who was lucky enough to have known him.

Visitation will be held at Gosselin Funeral Home on Sunday, November 9, 2025 from 3-7pm and a funeral mass at St. Helena's Parish in Edison on Monday, November 10, 2025 at 11:00AM

Interment will follow right after church at Saint Gertrude Cemetery, Colonia, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations to The Parkinson's Foundation, NJ State Fireman's Association/Home, or the NJ Veterans Memorial Home in Menlo Park, in Richard's memory would be greatly appreciated by his family.