Richard Irving Tighe Sr.

Richard Irving Tighe Sr.

AIKEN, S.C. – Richard Irving Tighe, Sr., 92, of Aiken, South Carolina, died at his home on February 5, 2012. He was born in Medford, MA on April 9, 1919, the son of Irving Francis and Katherine Ann (Hughes) Tighe. On June 29, 1946 he married Virginia Rose Cantrell at St. Peters Catholic Church in Cambridge, Massa-chusetts. They were married for 63 years and he was predeceased by Virginia on July 21, 2009.

Mr. Tighe grew up in Cambridge and was drafted into the United States Army in September of 1942 and subsequently attended Infantry Training at Ft Devens, MA. He later requested a transfer to the Army Air Corps and attended Aviation Mechanics School in Goldsboro, North Carolina, later becoming an instructor in engine test cells. Assigned to Boeing Airplane Company in Washington State, he completed Crew Chief Training and was then transferred to Warton (Base Air Depot 2), England for two and a half years during the Second World War. In 1945 he was released from active duty. Richard reenlisted into the United States Air Force in 1947 and subsequently graduated from Boston University with a BS/BA in Business Administration and the Non-Commissioned Officers School at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana. When he retired from the USAF in 1966 with over 23 years combined service he had achieved the rank of Senior Master Sergeant and had been assigned to many installations throughout the United States and Europe.

Mr. Tighe then began employment with Crocker National Bank in San Francisco, where he rose to Branch Manager at Santa Rosa, CA and retired in 1977. During his time with the bank he served at several Bay Area Branches.

In 1977 he and Virginia started a printing business in San Rafael, Ca and before long had acquired two more printing businesses. They both retired from business ownership in 1993 and moved to Melbourne, FL, where they resided until 2003 when they moved here to Aiken, SC.

Following his retirement from the USAF Mr. Tighe was very active in the Lions Club, both in San Rafael, CA (as a District Governor for Northern CA) and in Melbourne, FL. He was also active in the Meals on Wheels program in Melbourne.

Mr. Tighe served his church in Santa Rosa, CA for many years as a lector.

He is survived by his five children: Richard Irving, Jr. (Theresa), Virginia Cornwell (Thomas), Kenneth John (Patricia), Janice Tighe Schuler, and Valerie Tighe McFarland (Dean). Also, he is survived by nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be at George Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 211 Park Ave S.W. on Feb 11, 2012 from 9 AM until 1030 AM, followed by a Requiem Mass at 11 AM. Entombment with full military honors will follow at Southlawn Cemetery Mauso-leum on Whiskey Rd.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Lions Club International for Sight Conservation or the local Lions Club of your choice.

Expressions of sympathy for the Tighe family may be left at www.georgefuneralhomes.com