Gone But Never Forgotten

On April 23, 2021, my Dad left this Earth to go join my Mom in Heaven. He did not want an obituary or a big fuss of a funeral/memorial service. There was a minimal death notice published in the local paper, but that was it.

As much as my brother and I wanted to, we could not go against his wishes and publish an obituary, so I decided to do a write-up on my blog. After several starts and stops, it’s taken me this long to finish. Writing a pseudo obituary for a man who has left a really big hole in the lives of many people is not an easy thing.

Phares E. Reichard, 82, of Salunga, Pennsylvania (formerly of Baltimore, Maryland), passed away on Friday, April 23, 2021, at Lancaster General Hospital with his son and daughter at his side. Born in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania on July 30, 1938, he was the son of the late Robert J. and Edna (Stern) Reichard. He was the husband of the late Doris Louise (Saxton) Reichard of Baltimore. 

Phares, also known as Sleepy, served in the Marine Corps from 14 June 1956 to 02 April 1959. He was a Lance Corporal at the time he was honorably discharged. He met Doris Louise Saxton when visiting Baltimore, Maryland. They married on August 15, 1959 and remained married until Doris’ passing on August 19, 2012. The couple lived in Lancaster and Conestoga, Pennsylvania before moving to Baltimore around 1968. They celebrated 50 years of marriage with a big party in 2009. Phares moved to Salunga, Pennsylvania in 2013, where he lived happily surrounded by farmland, close to his sisters. 

Sleepy retired from Agora Financial Publishing in Baltimore, where he worked as a courier. Prior to that he worked in the Baltimore area as a warehouseman and certified forklift operator for multiple employers, including Pantry Pride, Food Fair, Key Warehouse, Smelkinson and Sons, and John Jeffrey Corporation. He also worked part-time for many years at The Corner Crab House located on the corner of Erdman Avenue and Federal Street in Baltimore.

Phares is survived by his son, Thomas E. (Sharen) Reichard of Chesapeake, Virginia, and his daughter, Kathleen S. (Michael) Kirkpatrick of Warrenton, Virginia, two grandsons, Eric Brandt and Joshua Reichard, two step-granddaughters, Shannon (Chris) Kirkman and Amy (TJ) Lloyd, and three great-grandchildren. Phares is survived by four sisters: Pearl (Edward) Kaufman, Bertha Coffman, Rhoda (James) Nye, and Linda (Gary) Brock. He was preceded in death by two brothers: Robert C. Reichard and Jay W. Reichard, and two sisters, Dorothy (Roger) Neal and Geraldine Alton.

A remembrance service/memorial picnic will be held on Saturday, May 22, outside his home at 24 Spring Street in Salunga, Pennsylvania. Friends and family are invited to call between 12:00 and 2:00 to share stories, laugh, and celebrate the life of this very selfless man.

Dad was a good person. He was the kind of person who never had much wealth, but was richer than most people in terms of generosity, kindness, and sense of humor. As a dear friend of mine said to me recently, I was really blessed with a wonderful Dad. He loved to tell stories and tease people or joke around just to make people laugh. He was a very patient and very good father and grandfather. He would do anything for anyone, loved to share whatever he had, and always went above and beyond to help people in need. He made the best soups and is the person who taught me how to cook, how to drive, and generally how to be a good person.

My brother and I really were blessed to have him in our lives. He was a kind, loving father and a very hard worker who instilled a work ethic that helped both of us achieve professional success. He was always very giving and generous, and very kind. He loved to make people laugh.

He struggled with health issues over the past several years, but was fiercely determined to continue living on his own. He really loved where he lived and loved being independent. It would have broken his heart to have to give up his home.

There is so much more I could say, but I am still struggling to find the right words to give justice to the memory of this man who was such a bright light of love, optimism, humor, and positivity in this often dark world. He is a man who will be missed and fondly remembered by many.