Richard Samuel Stinger, famous for being Santa
Richard Samuel Stinger, Rich, as he was known to everyone in Lewes, or "Santa" around the Christmas holiday, died Tuesday, May 1, 2018.
He was born May 20, 1958, to Warren and Joan Stinger. He was a South Philly boy who had his first job at age 6 as a lookout for the beat cop at the neighborhood craps game. The job perks were great! He received $1 a day and all the Coca-Cola he could drink! It was interesting that his first job was the catalyst for him to enter into law enforcement.
After graduating from West Chester University as a criminal justice major, Rich became a West Chester campus cop. He said it seemed quite unfair that he was arresting students for doing something he did six months prior!
His next adventure was joining the East Norriton police department in Montgomery County, Pa., where friendships were born and life stories became part of his repertoire. This is where his passion in being Santa's helper originated. When he put on that red suit, beard (which later he grew his own), and boots, his whole persona changed. It was for the children or that child in each of us...for that smile, for that look of astonishment, for the innocence that is so quickly lost.
Even after leaving police work and entering the insurance industry, Rich still had the passion for being Santa. Every office Christmas party he would know the employees' children's names who were attending, find out who was naughty, who was nice, and why they couldn't have a pony or that Red Ryder gun that will shoot your eye out! He was the best Santa ever on the fire truck for Lower Providence Fire Company when he lived in Collegeville, Pa. He was the best Santa ever for his FOP Lodge No. 14 from Montgomery Co. Later when he moved to Lewes, he was the best Santa ever at P.U.P.S. This was especially true when his yellow lab, Dyson, accompanied him in the sidecar of his red Harley-Davidson motorcycle. They were a sight to behold!
Rich was known for his great dimpled smile, his quick wit, and sick sense of humor...of which he was quite proud! Being proud was how he felt of his son, Jake. He felt out of all his accomplishments, his son was his best achievement. Rich's love for his son, his wife Billie and their dog Dyson was never questioned. Family to him was everything. He would say, "You can always buy another gift, always take another trip, but the time that you spend with those you love is limited. Take advantage of it."
Rich's time was limited, and unfortunately, he never got to celebrate his goal of turning 60. Rich died surrounded by family and friends, leaving behind his loving wife Billie Myers Meeks; his son Jacob Stinger; his sister and brother-in-law Barbara and Jim Ullman; niece and nephew-in-law Joanne and Carl Walter; great-nieces Samantha and Jessica Walter; nephew and niece-in-law Matt and Janet Ullman; and other family members along with many friends who became family. His big brother Warren "Pete" Stinger Jr. predeceased him.
There will be a casual gathering of Rich's friends and family to celebrate his life on his birthday, Sunday, May 20, at 4:30 p.m., at Irish Eyes Pub & Restaurant, 213 Anglers Road, Lewes.
Please make a donation in Rich's memory to one of the following: Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963, for their compassionate, comforting care, or the Lewes Fire Department, 347 E. Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958 for their outstanding supportive service to the community.
Funeral arrangements handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes.
