Richard Dominic Stabile

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Richard D. Stabile. “Pop Dick Stabile “, as he was known to those who loved him, passed away on February 21, 2023, at the age of 95 with his family by his side. Dick was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Dominic and Mary Stabile. He was one of three boys and a beautiful sister. His love of horses started at an early age while working as a shoeshine boy at Teevan’s Riding Academy in Brooklyn. It was there at age 13 that he started competing in Horse Shows. The numerous yellowed newspaper articles we have from 1940 describe his debut Horse Show as “the crowd cheering loudly for the well-built little boy with a fine brow, intelligent eyes and a mass of shiny-clean hair”. It was later in 1948 he met his bride at this same riding academy. Dick never met a stranger. His humor, love of travel and other cultures, gambling and dancing the night away led him to have wonderful conversations with those young and old. He has friends and “fans” of all ages. As one of his grandsons so eloquently put it “Its so tough to boil pop down to a few worthy quotes. You just had to have a conversation with him to know how unique Pop was.” He especially loved visits from his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to give “Pop” advice. While always listened to with love and respect it was later discussed in laughter at his bluntness and “that’s just Pop”. Pop remained active, driving and living alone until 94 years old. When his family didn’t know where he was, he used the standard “I went to a prayer meeting (in Atlantic City), I went to see a man about a horse (the racetrack) or just a “Leave me alone. It's none of your business”. That was our Pop. He is survived by his sister Gloria Panella, daughters, Margaret Annastas, Marie “Toots” Mazza and husband, John, Liz “Betsy” Elliott and husband, Tom, his son, Gerry and his daughter-in-law, Debbie Stabile. He is also survived by his many loving and doting grandchildren, great grandchildren and extended adoring family members and friends. Dick was predeceased by his wife, Gerarda, his son Richard D Stabile, Jr, and his grandson Zach Elliott in addition to his loving parents and brothers. Cremation will be private and there will be a Celebration of Pop’s great life at a later date. He will be missed. He was always unapologetically himself. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to The Zach Elliott Memorial Scholarship (which Pop started) at Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo County. Online at cfsloco.org and search for Zach Elliott Memorial Scholarship or mail checks to CFSLOCO, 550 Dana Street, San Luis Obispo, California 93401 with Zach Elliott in memo line or to Hudson Valley Hospice, Poughkeepsie, NY. In closing we’d like to leave you with a “Pop-ism” but decided none were fit to print. That was our Pop.

Richard Dominic Stabile

October 28, 1927 - February 21, 2023