Richard Joseph Nazay, Jr.

Richard Joseph Nazay, Jr., “Ric”, 61, of Upper Allen Twp., Mechanicsburg, died Thursday, May 19, 2022, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

He retired as an Administrator from DEP Transportation, Inc., Middletown, and was a member of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, New Cumberland. Always an athlete, Ric played football, basketball, and baseball for St. Theresa’s and Cedar Cliff High School. After high school he attended Penn State towards a horticulture degree while working for a local landscape company. He switched curricula and achieved his Bachelor’s degree at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Ric began his career of service and helping others as a volunteer firefighter for the New Cumberland Fire Department at age 16, and then ran with Engine 8 in Harrisburg. Because of his outstanding dedication and expertise, he received a full ride to Maryland, having to live in the fire house at Berwyn Heights Fire Department, Prince George’s County, MD. He received his degree in Fire Technology and came back to reside in Carlisle, PA.

Ric’s true passion was Hazardous Materials Safety. He became the HAZMAT Coordinator for Cumberland County. Ric excelled in the field of HAZMAT operations and became the Dickinson Township EMA Coordinator. He continued to help others by instructing fire safety at HACC and was featured on many training videos. Ric worked as the Safety Manager for various construction companies but notably the Turnpike bridge crossing the Susquehanna River, the “wall” that was built on the 581 bypass, and the construction of the Pegula Ice Arena at State College.

Born on October 25, 1960, in Camp Hill, PA he was the son of the late Richard J. Nazay, Sr. and Anna M. “Nancy” (Ridewood) Nazay. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Theresa S. “Sandee” Nazay.

Surviving is his daughter, Rachel A. Nazay of Carlisle; sisters, Stacy Lynn Nazay of Mechanicsburg and Victoria N. Wheeler of Victoria, TX; nieces and nephews, Isabella N. Nazay, Ross A. Wheeler, Abigail M. Wheeler, Keith R. Wheeler, Blake D. Wheeler, and Kristofer T. Nazay; cousins, Sharon Sherban, Denise DePue, Paul Sherban, Tristan A. DePue, Taylor E. DePue and cousin-in-law, Susan C. DePue.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM on Wednesday in St. Theresa’s Catholic Church with the Rev. Kyle Sahd as Celebrant. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Swatara Twp.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 6 – 8 PM at the Parthemore Funeral Home and Cremation Services, New Cumberland, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are respectfully requested to the New Cumberland Fire Department, 319 4th Street, New Cumberland, PA 17070.