Richard Lee Poletti

Richard Lee Poletti, 88, of Sanford passed away on Monday November 11, 2024. A Mass will be held on Friday November 15, 2024, at 11am at St Stephen Catholic Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military honors. A visitation will be held starting at 10am before the service at the church.

Dick was born in Newark NJ on September 7, 1936, to the late Arthur Poletti and Antonette Columbo Poletti. After graduating High School, he joined the Army and spent three years in Okinawa. Upon entering the military he embarked on higher education, married Gene and started his family. After six years of working 40hrs/week and continuous night classes he graduated from Fairleigh Dickerson University with a degree in accounting.

Always working his way upward in financial areas of Federal Pacific Elec., General Food Corp., and Coty division of Pfizer, he retired in 1996 from Coty as Senior Vice President of finances. He then slowed his pace a little and entered a career in real estate and built ten houses in the Sanford area.

Dick was active in many lay ministries at St. Stephen Catholic Church, and acted as past Grand Knights of Columbus, and past president of Rotary, as well as serving at the Bread Basket and driving for the Highway of Healing.

He is survived by his wife Genevieve Poletti; children James Poletti (Sha), Joseph Poletti (Lisa), Lynn Poletti (Phil), Jill Poletti (Mandy), Rebecca Poletti, Danielle Taylor (Lowry), and Diane Ambrose (Brian); grandchildren Jamie Poletti, Alexa Riley (Brendan), Genna Prange (Nick), Meg Adagio, Patrick Lowe (Brianna), Blaine Poletti, Juliana Hernandez (Juan), Monica Poletti, Mary Lacke (Kevin), Tyler Fortner, Dylan Ambrose, Morgan Ambrose, Blaise LaCarter, Brock LaCarter, and Laylee LaCarter; and great grandchildren Tucker, Sophia, Sonny, and Teo.

Memorial contributions can be made to Highway to Healing, 1615 S 3rd St, Sanford, NC 27330 or to Meals on Wheels of Sanford, Inc., PO Box 2991, Sanford, NC 27331-2991.