Richard “Rocco” Muti was born on September 20, 1956 and passed away on Monday, June 9, 2008. Richard was a loving and caring husband and an amazing father to 5 children. He always made time for the people he loved and made many personal sacrifices for his Family. He would endure long commutes to work, work 2 jobs and somehow always be there for soccer, football, baseball, and lacrosse games for his boys and every dance recital, softball game or dance for his girls. Richard had many passions including football, hot rods, motorcycles, coin collecting, engineering and more. Many of these passions were passed down to his children; his boys can disassemble and repair most small and large engines, rebuild a classic car or motorcycle, remodel or renovate entire homes as well as put on a suit and succeed in the real estate industry thanks to his guidance and teachings. Richard was just as comfortable hoisting an entire engine into his 1955 Chevy using nothing but some ropes and chains in the garage, as he was enduring through getting manicures with his three beautiful daughters. His girls all received their father’s ability of self respect and strength; these are some very tough and determined girls! The oldest daughter now has two adorable sons and is an incredible mother herself. The two younger sisters are both on amazing paths including business ownership within the next few years, and one a true culinary artist and one day a great parent. This brilliant man has also received many accolades both professionally in his career and also amongst his peers. He was honored with the prestigious presidential green chemistry award in 1997. However if you had asked him, his favorite he received were his “# 1 Dad” awards his children would make him for Father’s day. Richard was married for over 30 years to the love of his life and high school sweetheart Karen. These lovebirds were always together and even wore matching clothes to school, winning them the “cutest couple” in their high school senior year book. Richard even had his loves name pinstripe painted onto the driver’s side fender of his 1970 Camaro! Karen is a very special person, a very compassionate mother to her children and one hell of a strong woman. She loves immensely and unconditionally, one half of her heart beats for Richard and the other for her children. The Muti family’s world was ripped apart in the early morning of June 9th 2008 with the loss of this truly larger than life figure. It’s very hard to accept that a man who can dominate a football field as a feared linebacker, be king of the hill after many town brawls as a teen, survive a 12 foot tall drop from a ladder headfirst onto concrete, and survive a full speed jet ski collision and still have enough strength to swim another man to shore……lose his life to a cancer cell. I tend to think that the world's balance shifted when this man left the earth, you cannot remove such an integral and important person without something major being affected. Since Richard was robbed of his precious & well deserved right to live, his family will continue to honor and cherish him and always ensure his loved grandchildren and the future generations always know who he was and just how much he is missed! We love you Dad.