Richard Merone

Richard Merone, 67, of Bulls Head, a retired Sanitation foreman and a veteran who enjoyed watching sports, died April 24 in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze.

Born and raised in Brooklyn and a graduate of Lafayette High School in his native borough, Mr. Merone settled in Bulls Head in 2006.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1964 until 1966, stationed in the Mediterranean.

He then worked 20 years for the New York City Department of Sanitation in Brooklyn, retiring as a foreman in 1989.

Mr. Merone enjoyed listening to country music, and he was a fan of the New Jersey Devils and the New York Yankees.

"He was the most reliable person I will ever know and he was my best friend growing up," said his niece Nicole Castellano.

Surviving are his wife of 43 years, the former Patricia Castellano and a sister, Donna Merone.

The funeral will be Sunday from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville, with a service at 10 a.m. Arrangements include cremation, which will be handled by Rosehill Crematory, Linden, N.J.

Services: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Monday, May 5, 2014 10:00AM

Visitation: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Sunday, May 4, 2014 2-5 & 7-9PM

Cemetery: Rosehill Crematory

Location: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Church: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home