Richard Carlisle Cecil Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Richard “Dick” Carlisle Cecil, age 91 of Lewes, DE, passed away at Beebe Hospital on Monday, July 18, 2022. He was born on January 14, 1931, in Wilmington, DE, son of the late Carlisle and Martha (Perry) Cecil. Dick was happily married for over fifty years to Ruth “Lynn” Evelyn (Stein) Cecil before her passing two years ago. Mr. Cecil was a graduate of PS DuPont High School, Class of 1948 and later received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Delaware, as well as an MBA from Cornell University. After college, Dick was commissioned as a 2LT in the U.S. Army and served two years as an artillery officer. After graduate school, he worked for the DuPont Company. Dick transitioned into the insurance industry and later into politics and banking. He was elected to the New Castle County Council and served for 20 years as Councilman for the 2nd District. Dick was elected to the 2nd VP position in the National Association of Counties and also served as the head of the Delaware Association of Counties for many years. He also served as the Deputy Insurance Commissioner for the State of Delaware and was the recipient of the prestigious Palmer Award for his career contributions to the insurance industry. Up until a few years ago, Dick was still the head of the U.S. Selective Service in Delaware. He was a Christian, involved in the Methodist Church, and raised funds for charity through the Ministry of Caring. Since he was a young man in the Jaycees, and up until his final days, Dick loved helping his community and served in leadership positions in almost countless organizations that improved the local area, including being the founding member and president of the Rehoboth Beach Sunrise Rotary International Chapter. Dick loved to travel and visited many parts of the world, including several countries in Europe, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Egypt, and Brazil, as well just about every state in the U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii. He was also a very patriotic person and a member of the Military Officer’s Association and the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). Dick was also a proud Mason and member of the Royal Order of Jesters. He was also inducted into the Court of Honor for his service to Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Dick enjoyed being involved in politics at all levels, working not only on his campaigns, but those of others as well. He and Lynn even met President Reagan as part of their duties in Washington, DC when he served on the Republican National Committee. Dick was a consensus builder, got things done for his fellow citizens, and made many friends across the aisle while doing so. Dick loved his family and friends, and of course, his many pets. His favorites were his wonderful Irish setter, Lucky, and affectionate Siamese cat, Felix. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. We have the fondest memories of vacations spent in Lewes with close friends and members of the LBAAA. Dick and Lynn eventually “retired” to Lewes Beach and became very active members of the Lewes Yacht Club for over a decade. Dick never could bring himself to fully retire and only Covid restrictions, followed by poor health, eventually stopped him from having a full calendar of events. In addition to his parents, Dick was preceded in death by his wife, Lynn; his first wife, Connie; his sister, Susan; and his son, Richie. He is survived by his sons: Robert Cecil (Terilyn) of Lewes, DE and Ryan Cecil (Nathalie) of Centreville, DE; his grandchildren: Roxanne and Eric; his niece, Deborah Vaughn of Cary,NC; his nephew, John Marshall of New Fields, NH; and his sister-in-law, Geraldine Stein of Wilmington, DE. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at 3:30 PM, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, DE, where friends may call beginning at 2:30 PM. Burial will be private. Please sign the virtual guestbook located on the tribute page. FLORIST NOTE: PLEASE DELIVER ALL ARRANGEMENTS BY 3PM, FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2022, TO OUR LEWES LOCATION.

Richard Carlisle Cecil

January 14, 1931 - July 18, 2022