Richard Edward Gentilo

Richard Edward Gentilo passed away on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, in Southern Maryland Hospital. Richard was born on November 28, 1941, in Greensburg, Pa. son of late Edward and Viola (Tocco) Gentilo. Loving husband to Joyce (Cavada) Gentilo for 60 years and father of Richard Scott of Kensington, Maryland and Robert Scott (Natalie) of Colombia, Pennsylvania. Rich was the grandfather of Madison Gentilo of Myrtle Beach, South Caroline and Kelly Gentilo of Bethesda, Maryland. Richard is also survived by his brother Dennis (Louella) Gentilo and sister Donna Gentilo McCullough of Jeannette Pennsylvania nephews Mark (Tara) Gentilo, Carmen (Renae) Cavada, great nieces Hannah, Alyssa, Kylie Gentilo and preceded in death by father and mother-in law Joseph and Mildred Cavada, nephew Scott Gentilo and brother-in-law Gary McCullough. Rich relocated to the DC area in 1963 and served with the 28th Infantry Pennsylvania Army Division and Army National Guard, Air Force and Navy both military and civilian positions as well as a private contractor for the DoD. Some of his achievements were Nike Missile assembly, test and launch crew in 1969, built and maintained as supervisor flight simulator for F105D Thunder Chief and F-4 Phantom at Andrews Air Force Base, Supervisor of PAVE spike weapon delivery section 1st Air National Guard Unit becoming operational in laser guided weapon delivery system, performed testing baseline configuration audits on NACES F-18 A_D ejection seat and reviewed for Northrop Aviation design documentation for all airframe components F-118 E,F Super Hornet, F14 A, B, D Tomcat and statement of work for modification contract to upgrade aircraft fuel and hydraulic systems P-3 Orion Submarine Warfare and aerial refueling store system for S3 Viking Submarine Warfare. Richard was awarded the District of Columbia Civic Service Award, Minute Man Statue, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal 1st Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Civilian Service Award NAVAIR to name a few. According to his own words, “My work environment for almost 5 decades was the most rewarding, satisfying, exasperating at times, interesting, scary, intense, and valuable experience that gave me the most self-fulfilling time of my life.” Upon his retirement of 50 years of service for the Department of Defense, Rich turned his talents to building furniture, making stained glass, steam punk sculptures, precious stone jewelry, Penn State pens for his family and friends, restoring artifacts at his church St. Joseph Catholic Church, Pomfret, Maryland. Those who had the good fortune to hear his beautiful voice and his love of music. Rich once stated, “If I had it to do over again, I would be afraid to change a thing because life would not be as interesting and rewarding as it turned out to be.” In lieu of flowers the family asks Donations be made directly to St. Joseph’s Church at; 4590 St Joseph’s Way, Pomfret, MD 20675 Interment will be at a later date at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery.

Richard Edward Gentilo

November 28, 1941 - July 17, 2024