FARRAGE, Richard John (Dick)

Palo Verde Valley Times, Blythe, CA February 14, 2012 Richard John Farrage (Dick), 83, passed away peacefully and was embraced by his sons, Ricky and Raymond, on Feb. 7, 2012, in Peoria, Ariz. He was born on April 26, 1929 to Margaret and Minim Farrage in Blythe. Richard was a loving, caring man who touched the lives of many and never knew a stranger. Dick grew up and lived in Blythe for 53 years, where he served as mayor for six years and served on the city council for 12, expanding the potential of the city by being instrumental in the development of the golf course and preparing Lovekin Boulevard and various businesses for the development of the I-10 freeway. He was also a businessman himself, operating Dick Farrage Store for Men for 25 years, currently Halby's, a business that has been in the family name for generations. Richard was additionally the primary influence in building the Catholic Church where it still stands today. He moved to Hemet, Calif. in 1982 and most recently resided in Peoria, Ariz., befriending everyone he came across, always helping those in need, and constantly being adamantly involved in the Catholic Church. Richard valued people and the relationships he made with them. Above all, he loved the lord with all of his heart and his family meant the world to him. He is survived by the love of his life, wife Gloria Farrage, his children, Cynthia Farrage Simonson (husband Jim Simonson) and Michael Farrage (wife Cindy Farrage) along with his five grandchildren whom he adored; Natalie, Danielle, Trevor, Courtney and Kelsey and his four beautiful great grand children, Jaden, Nevin, Kenzi and Chase; as well as his brothers, Tom and David Farrage and sisters, Joan Willard and Ruth Richards, and also his many loving nieces and nephews. A memorial mass will be held for Dick Farrage at the Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church on Feb. 18, 2012 at 9 a.m. Doors are open to all who knew and loved him and in lieu of flowers, we please ask that those willing to donate, do so to the American Heart Association in his name. Richard Farrage was the true essence of a man and is now a guardian angel for us all.