Mr. Richard "Rich" Burton Werner, 70, of Winter Springs, Florida, passed peacefully to rest at home on April 1st, 2014 after a long illness, bravely borne.

Beloved Husband, Devoted Father, Community Hero and Courageous Fighter, Rich was born in the Bronx, NY on August 4th, 1943, the second son of Paul and Helene Werner. He grew up in Yonkers, NY and graduated from Yonkers High School in 1962. While attending college in the city, he served as an EMT at Misericordia Hospital in the Bronx, before graduating NYU with a degree in marketing.

He went on to manage several elite New York City restaurants, including the Oyster Bar in Grand Central Station and The Executive Club in midtown Manhattan.

Richard was drafted in the Vietnam era, and proudly served his country as a member of the Chemical Corps in the United States before being posted to Germany, where he served as a chaplain's assistant, reaching the highest rank attainable to a draftee.

After an honorable discharge in 1968, and marriage to Beatrice Demers, Rich returned to the New York area as a police officer serving as a railroad policeman and later in the City of New Rochelle, NY. He remained a dedicated member of this community in the roles of patrol sergeant and narcotic detective for twenty years, as well as serving on the Somers, NY School board in the 1980s. Simultaneously Richard owned and operated a limousine service with the help of the entire family and area teachers as drivers. During this busy time, Rich graduated Iona College with a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice in 1978 and pursued post graduate studies at Western Connecticut State University.

Upon his retirement from the New Rochelle PD in 1988, Rich and his family relocated to Orlando, Florida, where he came right out of retirement to join the Florida Department of Correction serving as a probation officer and child welfare officer. In 1994 he joined the Orange County Sheriff's Department where he served within the courthouse.

Rich worked tirelessly for each community to which he committed himself until his diagnosis with PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) in 1999.

As a father, Rich was consistently strong and loving with all his children. In his presence, they knew they were in the company of a hero who would always keep them safe and supported. His children not only adored him, but admired and respected him also.

For Donna, her father was the man who gave her the gift of her breath, unconditional love and the definition of family. Just a few of her treasured memories of and thank-yous to her Dad include special Mickey Mouse birthdays, family vacations, Yankees games and the inspiration of hard work alongside deep love.

Lisa remembers kickball, birthday parties and Christmases full of fun and laughter, always knowing at each stage of life there was a refuge in her father's ever-safe, loving arms.

Rick remembers the smell of his shirts and the unspoken knowledge of security that it brought. Rich showed unstinting support for his son's baseball passion and subsequent career.

Paul followed in his father's footsteps to serve in the Orange County Sheriff's Office, making his Dad extremely proud. Paul, his wife and their two small children were with Rich throughout many difficult years as his illness progressed. They cared for him and brought fun, smiles, light and laughter to the darkening days.

The legacy of Rich's bond with his family has and will continue to extend through the generations. He delighted in the happiness his grandchildren brought to him, and he reciprocated it to them with love and laughter to be the best Poppa anyone could ask for.

In later years, Rich and his wife, Bea, ministered to the elderly and handicapped neighbors in their community. They served at local nursing and retirement homes where the residents took great delight in Rich's jovial way, and his deep and heartfelt prayers and blessings.

As they grew old together, Rich and Bea came to know and appreciate each other with a deepening love. Bea says: "I loved Rich even more at the end of our days together than at the beginning of our time." Rich and Bea were married for 46 years.

The softer side of Rich often emerged in his care for animals – one summer he build a giant cat house adjoining the family home in Somers, NY, where countless local cats found shelter and food. He inspired love and loyalty in dogs including Lucinda, Snowball and latterly, Honey, the tiny Yorkie with a big personality who shared a constant spot on his bed until the end.

He was predeceased in death by his father, Paul Werner; mother, Helene Werner; son, Albert Werner; brothers, Robert, Martin and Stephen Werner; and granddaughter Beatice Lisa Lopane.
He is survived by his loving wife, Beatrice Demers Werner, daughter Donna Scorrano, son-in-law Michael Scorrano, granddaughters Danielle, Michelle and Gabrielle Scorrano; daughter Lisa Lopane, son-in-law Frank Lopane, granddaughters Nicole, Lisa, Sarah and Lilly Lopane; Son Richard Lewis Werner, daughter-in-law Helen Werner, grandsons Ricky, Coby and Magnus; son Paul Werner, daughter-in-law Dawnelle Werner, and grandchildren Ava and Paul Jr.

Heartfelt thanks to all the many nurses, caregivers and visitors who provided their time, compassion and comfort over the years of Richard's illness; especially Jonathan Tavara, who became a precious adopted member of the Werner family, and the amazing people from Vitas Hospice, who gave their support and dedicated presence above and beyond the call of duty.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, April 15th at 3 o clock, at Incarnation Church, Canterbury Retreat Center in Oviedo, FL.

Family flowers only, please. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Richard's name to the hospice of your choice, or to PKD research via the following link: http://pkdcure.kintera.org/diyforpkd/richardwerner .

Arrangements are entrusted to DeGusipe Funeral Home & Crematory, 9001 N. Orlando Avenue, Maitland, Florida 32751. (407) 695-CARE(2273).