Richard W. Jennings, 79, of Douglaston, New York, passed away peacefully October 16 at home surrounded by his family.

Richard was a devoted husband, father of three and grandfather of three, proud lifelong Queens resident, avid follower of news and New York City sports teams, and a generous and empathetic friend.

Richard had a remarkably varied career. His first job after graduating from Pace University in 1966 was at the New York Daily News, where he started as an accountant before switching to public relations. He helped promote the Golden Gloves boxing tournament and joined Mayor Ed Koch at City Hall in presenting the newspaper’s hero award to two police officers. His last job was at the New York Hall of Science

Richard grew up in Flushing and was a 1962 graduate of Flushing High School, where he played the trumpet. He took up running in his early 30s, doing laps around the track at Queensborough Community College, Francis Lewis High School and along the Joe Michaels Mile. He was a devotee of 1950s/60s music and savored the Doo Wop Shop on WCBS-FM. He read at least two newspapers every day and, when his family and friends formed a Panorama Challenge trivia contest team at the Queens Museum, he was the anchor. He was a huge Yankees fan but also cheered on the Mets.

He was married to Judy for 54 years and they were inseparable. They met while working at Alexander’s department store and saw the Ice Capades on their first date, September 18, 1966. Richard and Judy savored summer drives to Port Jefferson for ice cream, day trips to Montauk and Gosman’s Dock, fall foliage excursions, vacationing in Maine and just spending quiet time together reading and enjoying a bagel.

He was a devout Catholic and took pride in his son, Rob, attending Archbishop Molloy High School and daughters Anne and Katie attending St. Francis Prep. He tried never to miss a wake or funeral, whether for a close friend or casual acquaintance.

His top priority, always, was his family. There was not a single important event involving any of them that he ever willingly missed. He always made time for his kids whether it be taking taking Rob to his old neighborhood to play stickball in the schoolyard, playing squash with Anne and searching all over with Katie for a hard to find R.E.M. album. Summer family weekends often involved visits to Sea Cliff Beach or Jones Beach.

He cherished his later in life role as a grandpa. He and Judy watched Andy during the day for much of his early childhood, playing catch and drawing pictures of boats. He enjoyed taking Logan to his first Mets game and introducing Travis to Nok-Hockey.

Richard almost made it to 80, and none who loved him were ready to say goodbye, but all are grateful for his long and very well-lived life.

Richard is survived by his wife, Judy, of Douglaston, New York; his son, Rob Jennings, his wife Catherine and their two children, Logan and Travis, of Sparta, New Jersey; his daughter, Anne Jennings, and her husband, Dan Weidman, of Whitestone, New York; his daughter, Katie Pearlman of Oceanside, New York, her husband David and their son, Andy; and his brother, Michael Jennings of Bluffton, South Carolina. He was predeceased by his parents, Richard and Mary Jennings.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital @ www.stjude.org