Richard Steele, a thirty- year resident of Oronoque Village, Stratford, CT, died December 8,2023 at the Carolton Nursing Home in Fairfield, CT.  In good health and good spirits until his passing, he had quietly celebrated his 101st birthday in February with family. His 100th birthday had been celebrated in the company of many friends, neighbors, local veterans, and officials.

Mr. Steele was born and raised in Upper Montclair, New Jersey, graduating from Montclair High School in 1940. He and his wife Florence Rodey Steele, also from Montclair, resided in their home town until a move to Chatham Township, NJ in 1971 and then, in retirement, to Stratford, CT in 1991 where he was very active in Oronoque Village.

For many years, Dick Steele was a contributing member of the Stratford Historical Society. Having researched family genealogy, he was aware his ancestors included the Reverend Thomas Hooker, a founder of Hartford, CT and the Curtis and Judson families, early settlers of Stratford, CT. Among his ancestors were numerous patriots in the American Revolution.

When the United States entered WWII, Dick Steele enlisted in the US Marine Corps April 2,1942 and was sent to Aviation Ordnance training at Quantico, VA. He began pre-flight training in March 1943 in Athens, Georgia, and then moved to NAS Pensacola, Florida where he earned his wings in February 1944.  In late spring 1945, Steele was deployed to the Pacific and stationed at the US Navy fleet anchorage at Ulithi Atoll in the Western Caroline Islands. He saw action in the Marine Scouting and Bombing Squadron.  Post Japanese surrender, Steele shipped home, was released from active duty in 1946 but remained in the Marine Corps Reserve. He married in Montclair, and he and Florence started their family. He both worked at Bankers Trust Company, NYC and attended night school at NYU receiving his BA degree in Banking and Finance in 1951.

During the Korean War, Steele was recalled to active duty in April 1952 and served until March 1955. Steele was initially based at NAS Pensacola as a flight instructor. Then Captain Steele was deployed to Korea, as instrument officer and draft commander with a Marine Attack Squadron.

After returning from Korea to civilian life in Montclair, Steele began a thirty- year career as an administrative accountant with Consolidated Edison Co., NYC. He remained in the Reserves and for another year, flew each month out of Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, NY. During this time, he was flying the F9F jet. When he made the decision to stop flying, he continued in the Reserve for many years and completed advanced training courses. Steele retired in 1987 from the USMC Reserve with the rank of Major.

During his military career, as a single engine pilot, he logged over 2000 hours from 1943-1956. He flew 8 or 9 different planes including the Helldiver, Sky Raider and the Panther. He had several opportunities to fly the Corsair and subsequent to his move to Stratford, he became an avid supporter of the restoration of the Chance Vought F4U Corsair and the Connecticut Air and Space Center in Stratford. Major Steele USMCR was an active member of the Oronoque Marine Group and the Marine Corps League Housatonic Detachment 1129 and affiliated with the Stratford VFW Post 9460.

Richard was the son of Wesley and Edith Raymond Steele, the fifth of their six children. He was pre-deceased by his wife of 68 years, Florence, as well as his siblings, Katherine S. Klaas, Raymond Steele, Elizabeth S. Bonner, John Wesley Steele and George Robert Steele. He is survived by his two daughters Helen Katherine S. Lea (Jeffrey Taylor Lea) of Fairfield, CT and Glen, NH and Mildred Rodey Steele of Philadelphia, PA; by his granddaughter Amanda Katherine Lea (her husband Nicholas B. Stonecipher) and his great granddaughter Renlea Steele Stonecipher of St. Albans, VT; by his sister- in- law, Joyce K. Steele and his beloved nieces and nephews.

Arrangements are being handled by Dennis and D'Arcy Funeral Home, 2611 Main Street, Stratford, CT. Calling hours there are on Monday, December 18, from 3-6pm.

Interment with Military Honors will take place on December 19 at 12:00 at Mount Hebron Cemetery, Upper Montclair, NJ.  In lieu of flowers, donations to a local VFW, specific United States Armed Forces branch, or the Connecticut Air and Space Center in Stratford could be considered. To offer condolences please visit www.dennisanddarcy.com