Richard F. Contenza, age 85, longtime resident of Wickliffe, passed away peacefully Jan. 11, 2017 after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease. Richard was born on Feb. 5, 1931 in Cleveland. He graduated from Euclid Shore High School in 1949 and Kent State University with B.S. and M.S. degrees in Education, Industrial Arts and Mathematics. Richard started his professional career as a teacher in Detroit, Michigan while simultaneously serving his country in the United States Navy Reserve supporting flight operations. Richard met and married his wife Shirley and subsequently moved back to northeast Ohio where he taught industrial arts in the Euclid School System (30 years) during which time he continued his pursuit of knowledge through years of continuing education at Kent State and John Carroll Universities. In addition, Richard worked part-time in private industry performing mechanical systems design and teaching industrial mathematics. Richard was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church; an active member of the Boy Scouts of America as a 'Star' Scout and adult leader; and participated in numerous community projects that benefited from his leadership skills. He was an established woodworker and carpenter who utilized his talents to the benefit of others; an avid golfer who cultivated life-long relationships with friends and family on the golf course; model aircraft designer/builder/flyer; patriot and military enthusiast; all of which were secondary only to his family and relationship with his grandson, Dominic. Survivors include his beloved wife of 62 years, Shirley (Yost) Contenza; children, Michael (Lee-Ann) Contenza and Kathleen (Mark) Anthony; grandson, Dominic Richard Contenza; brother, Harvey (Lucy) Contenza; sister, Matilda (Kenneth, deceased) Franks; sister-in-law, Constance Contenza, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents, Dominic and Mary (Iafelice) Contenza; and brother, Donald Contenza. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 26, 2017 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Orlando-Donsante Funeral Home, 29550 Euclid Ave., Wickliffe. Mass of Christian Burial Friday, January 27, 2017 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 29850 Euclid Avenue, Wickliffe. Internment will follow at All Souls Cemetery, Chardon. Family requests contributions in Richard's name to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (www.michaeljfox.org) or to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44110.