Richard Lorelle
Born on August 31, 1930 in Brooklyn, New YorkDeparted March 8, 2023 in Melbourne, Florida
Richard Lorelle died peacefully in his sleep on March 8, 2023. He is now with Jesus, but his spirit remains in each of us. He lives on in our memories, shared experiences, relationships, photographs, and mementos. But most of all, through the love he so generously shared.
Richie / Dick / Dr. Lorelle / Dudley / Pop-Pop / Bear / Doc / Grandpa – he was so many things to so many people. A loyal and devoted husband, a proud and loving father and grandfather, a son, brother, uncle, a gifted Veterinarian and a kind and generous friend.
Richard was born in Brooklyn, New York to Ralph Joseph Lorelle and Yvette Bessieres Lorelle. He attended Brooklyn Preparatory. In 1952, he graduated from Clemson University in South Carolina and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He went on to earn his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia. He met his wife Ann on a blind date while they attended University of Georgia. They married shortly after his graduation, then moved to Melbourne, where he began his career as a Veterinarian, practicing for 43 years.
He was an avid Clemson football fan. He also followed the Georgia Bulldogs and all the Florida college teams. He enjoyed golf, racquetball, poker, stamp collecting and traveling. Later in life, one of his favorite activities was spending time at the gym, working out and being with his many friends there. Above all, his faith served as his greatest source of inspiration and personal fulfillment. He was active in his church, having served the Vestry as junior and senior warden, usher, lay reader, & volunteer at the Thrift shop. He formed lasting friendships through Bible study, prayer groups, Foyer groups, and all things Holy Trinity!
He is survived by his wife Ann; children Janet Lorelle, Tom Lorelle (Susan), John Lorelle (Nubia) and Mary Susan Kropf (Jon); grandchildren Sean Fallon, Michael Fallon, Dillon McCarthy, Matthew Lorelle, Adam Lorelle, Natasha Wells, Andrew Lorelle, Rebecca Lorelle, Maggie Lorelle Isola, Ella Kropf and Charlotte Kropf and brother Roger Lorelle.
Until the very end, he maintained his sense of humor, cultivated new friendships and continued touching many lives with his kindness, wit and intelligence. His easy laughter and his big heart will be missed. He had such an impact on so many people (and their pets). His greatest legacy, besides his family, was his ability to positively affect other people’s lives.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 50 Strawbridge Avenue, Melbourne, Florida, 32901 on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 11:00 am, followed by placement of his ashes in the church Memorial Garden.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church:
