Memorial Wall

Alfred L. Dezzi, 77, of Gladwyne, former assistant managing director of Philadelphia, deputy director of the city’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Commission, recycling coordinator and deputy streets commissioner, director of policy and planning for the Pennsylvania Auditor General’s Office, writer, and adjunct college professor and lecturer, died Thursday, Dec. 26, of complications from Parkinson’s disease at his home.

Energetic and innovative in every position he held, Mr. Dezzi worked in city government for 20 years, from 1977 to 1997, and served under former Mayors Frank Rizzo, William Green, Wilson Goode, and Ed Rendell. His signature work began in 1987, when Goode appointed him to lead the city’s nascent recycling effort, and he turned a controversial initiative into one of the largest and most celebrated municipal programs in the country.

He championed regular curbside residential pickups and public-private joint ventures, and the recycling program was so successful at the start that 90% of the pilot program households participated. Truck drivers had to be paid overtime to collect all the material, and his success was recognized by the National League of Cities and the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

He was an expert in criminal justice, social welfare, and public administration, and managed city projects on the courts, emergency operations, and numerous financial crises as well as recycling. Later, he worked as deputy chief of staff for Casey in the state treasurer’s office. He retired in 2009.

Mr. Dezzi also taught classes in criminal justice, social welfare, and public administration at Temple University and Community College of Philadelphia. He lectured at La Salle University, the University of Pennsylvania, and other colleges.

Alfred Louis Dezzi was born March 25, 1947, in Philadelphia. His father died when he was 8, and he was reared by his mother and extended family. He played football and track and field, and graduated from West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Boys in 1965.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture and social welfare at Temple, a master’s degree in public administration at Temple, and a master’s certificate in criminal justice at the University of Wisconsin. Before he entered city government, he worked as an architect and for the state’s justice commission.

He met Eleanor Fauls at a party in high school and volunteered to walk her home afterward, and they married in 1969. They had sons Chris and Jamie, and lived in Yeadon and Lansdowne before moving to Roxborough in 1979. He and his wife moved to Waverly Heights retirement community 11 years ago.

Mr. Dezzi enjoyed traveling the country and to Europe with his wife, and they met Pope John Paul II at the Vatican. Mr. Dezzi was an expert woodworker and avid cook and gardener.

He loved old movies, especially It’s a Wonderful Life, and collected musical soundtracks of Broadway shows. He called his grandchildren his “angels.”

He was recognized by Temple for his civic achievements and by CCP for his teaching excellence, and he and his wife, a 1965 graduate of West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Girls and fellow recycling activist, were inducted together into the West Catholic Hall of Fame for their public service.

Mr. Dezzi underwent quadruple heart bypass surgery in 1987 and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2004. “He always showed grace, class, and dignity,” his wife said. “He had a caring spirit and thought more about his family and other people than himself.”

In addition to his wife and sons, Mr. Dezzi is survived by four grandchildren and other relatives.

Manson McCree (Mac) Stroud, 73, died Tuesday, December 31, 2024, after a courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia. Mac was born on March 23, 1951, in Texarkana, Ark., to Wingfield and Emmarene Stroud. He graduated from Malvern High School before graduating with a business degree from Ouachita Baptist University. He loved sports, and he forged many lifelong friendships while playing football for OBU. Mac worked for Allied Telephone Company, later Alltel, for 31 years. He was beloved by his coworkers, many of whom he counted among his closest friends.

Mac was an active member of Park Hill Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, taught young adult Sunday School and volunteered untold hours serving its congregation. The lights of his life were his four granddaughters. He loved watching them compete in sports, sing at church, play music and perform in school programs. Mac enjoyed traveling, especially to Sanibel Island, Florida, where he loved spending time with family and dear friends every summer for over 40 years.

Mac was preceded in death by his parents, Wingfield and Emmarene Stroud; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Ben and Betty Elrod, and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Cindy Stroud; his sons, Jay and wife Jan, Lane and wife Sara; granddaughters, Taylor Elizabeth, Sloane Katherine, Hannah Jane and Kate Emmarene Stroud; brother, David Stroud and wife Rebecca; brother-in-law, Bill Elrod and wife Dar. He also leaves behind two nieces, a nephew and many beloved cousins.

Richard “Dick” William Wray stopped laughing and telling stories to his family and friends on Monday, December 16, 2024 at the age of 80. After enduring Parkinson’s Disease for nearly 20 years, Dick passed away in Danville, CA, with his daughters, Christina and Michele, by his side. He was a man with a big laugh, a generous spirit, and a talent for connecting with others.

Born in Chico, CA, as a fourth-generation Californian, Dick learned the value of community and generosity from his mother. Frequent family moves made him curious and resilient, traits that carried him through his early career in Reno and service in the National Guard.

Dick attended Sacramento State University before moving to San Francisco, where he worked in the hospitality industry. There, he met Karen Margrethe Wray, a native of Denmark (Karen died in 2006). Together, they raised two daughters, sharing adventures from Reno to Minneapolis before settling in the Bay Area in the early 1970s. Dick founded his executive search firm, Dick Wray & Consultants, now Wray Executive Search, a leader in the restaurant and hospitality industry.

When Dick wasn’t holding court over a meal or laughing out loud at his and others’ stories, he loved to cycle with friends, talk about the newest restaurants, and raise animals (peacocks, dogs, cats, horses, and more!). There wasn’t a dog he wouldn’t talk to, and his charisma put everyone around him immediately at ease. He was known for his loud laughter that could erupt at any time. Dick traveled extensively around the world and was never afraid to try a new culture, new adventure or new meal.

Throughout his life, Dick was deeply involved in his community. He served on the Board of Trustees at Castilleja School, was a leader in the Saratoga Rotary Club, and supported numerous local charities. Following his Parkinson’s diagnosis, he moved in with his daughter, Christina, and later to an assisted living facility in Danville, where his greatest pleasure and pride was to be with his daughters, grandchildren, and old friends.

His kindness was seen in the little things he did. During his time in assisted living, he always kept snacks and drinks around to give to his caretakers. He would mail small notes to his daughters about how he felt. He always gave his grandkids career advice and offered to “hook them up” with his old contacts. He was never shy about sharing his feelings with others, and he would tell you directly all the reasons he thought you were a great person.

Dick and his great big laugh, love of storytelling, and kindness will be missed.

Dick is survived by his daughters, Michele (Nasir) Khateri, and Christina (Kevin) Olmsted; his grandchildren, Sam, Ronin, Aria, and Tess; his sister, Christy Carlin; and his nephews, Robert “Bob” Bennett, Wayne White, and Eric Saenz.

Steven L. “Steve” Johnson was born on July 26, 1944 to Howard W. and Burletta L. (Wold) Johnson in Leland, IL. He grabbed life in both hands and squeezed as much out of his time here on Earth as he could. He grew up on a farm and learned the value of hard work at an early age. He enjoyed raising and showing his sheep in 4-H and spending time outside hunting and playing with his favorite dog Tippy. He graduated from Leland Grade School in 1958 and Newark High School in 1962. Throughout his life he tried to keep in touch with his classmates from both schools and enjoyed catching up with old friends at class reunions. He paid for part of his highly prized University of Illinois education with his flock of 4-H sheep. He was a lifelong Illini fan and went to school at the U of I during the Dick Butkus years.

He enlisted in the Army during the Vietnam War and served as a first lieutenant and platoon leader. He was a proud veteran for the rest of his life and instilled a strong sense of patriotism in his daughters. In 2018 he was fortunate enough to go on an honor flight with the Greater Peoria Honor Flight accompanied by his daughter Julie and was warmly greeted by the rest of his family and friends when he returned home that day. It was a very special and meaningful trip for him. 

After returning from the war he taught diesel mechanics at Illinois Central College for 30 years. Steve was well suited to living in the country. He would sometimes buy old used cars to keep around for spare parts and spent many hours fixing his own cars, tractors, and other toys. He was well liked and respected by many students. He was a people person with an excellent memory. He could recall what year his students graduated, who was in their class, where they did their internships, and who their families were. He was excellent at remembering people he met, details about their lives, and could talk to anyone about almost anything.

He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed pulling pranks on his friends and family, especially on April Fool’s Day. He loved Old Western movies, particularly spaghetti westerns starring Clint Eastwood. He almost always wore cowboy boots and a western cut shirt (even when he was up on the roof putting on new shingles) except when he was out on his boat. He loved going out on the Illinois River and water skiing with friends and family. His goal when driving the boat was to cause spectacular wipeouts by whoever was being pulled either on skis or the tube. He enjoyed playing with his electric car set in the basement with his buddies and his daughters, old country cowboy songs, beef jerky, high quality toilets (he may have smuggled a contraband toilet in from Canada), and watching shows like Hee Haw, the Lawrence Welk Show, the Illini (football and basketball), and the news.

Other hobbies included off-roading in his Jeeps (ask Sandy or Julie about Blackbear Pass), snowmobiling, camping, hunting, and horseback riding. Steve also volunteered on the Woodford County 4-H horse committee for many years. At the show he would run the entrance gate and greet the kids as they entered the ring. He would always try to calm down nervous kids and ask them if they knew the pattern before they went in the ring.

Steve loved his family dearly and enjoyed spending time with them, going to family reunions, and talking about the family history.

He married Pamela G. Jones in 1970 and had two daughters, Carrie (Matt) Noar of Roanoke, IL and Julie Johnson of Metamora, IL. They divorced in 1980 and Steve later met his wife Sandy in 1997. They married in July of 1998 and shared many adventures and life milestones together including retirement, the loss of loved ones, weddings, the births of grandkids, and a job putting together a training program for technicians for the local 150 Union in Joliet, IL.

Steve passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 80 on Wednesday, January 1, 2025 after a life well-lived. He was preceded in death by his parents Howard and Burletta Johnson and his daughter Carrie (Johnson) Noar. He is survived by his wife Sandy of Metamora, IL, daughter Julie Johnson of Metamora, IL, brother Ron (Barb) Johnson of Leland, IL, nephews Randy (Lou) Johnson of Leland, IL, Brad Johnson of Leland, IL, niece Amy (Guy) Spayth of Wheaton, IL, son-in-law Matt Noar of Roanoke, IL, three stepsons Kurt (Miranda) Frye of San Juan Capistrano, CA, Greg (Ashleigh) Frye of McKinney, TX, Jared (Courtney) Frye of Metamora, IL, and seven grandkids.

Darrel King, age 61, passed away peacefully at his home in Champaign on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, after a 14-year struggle against Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia. He managed his diagnosis with humor, laughter, and helping other people feel cared for.

Darrel was born Jan. 27, 1963, to his parents Marion and Mary King Thompson in Urbana, who preceded him in death.

He is survived by his wife, Lora Mock; his three children, Elijah King of Switzerland, Hannah King of Chicago and Alenah King of Westminster, Calif.; and his brother, Richard (Sharon) King of Savoy.

Darrel graduated in 1981 from Urbana High School, where his love of sports blossomed. He enjoyed any sport he could do with his family and friends and, for several years before his death, he even embraced boxing in his wife's Parkinson's specific gym as a way to slow the progression of his disease.

After moving to Lynden, Wash., he graduated with a B.A. in Culture and Christianity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) in 1993 in Vancouver, Canada. He served the Lord through Bible study fellowship, his churches, leading worship services in local nursing homes with his family, his involvement with the local Parkinson's support group, and his love for everyone he met. He and Lora became members of Bible Baptist Church in Champaign prior to their marriage May 6, 2017, but he always kept his love for the people of Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church in Urbana. His life desire to be a blessing to others continues through his physical gifts to Washington University in St. Louis and the Anatomical Gift Association of Illinois.