Richard A. Clementi

"Rick"

Age 66 years, late of Freeport, FL and formerly of Joliet, passed away on Monday, May 20, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Rick was born in Joliet on October 18, 1957, the son of the late Richard J and Adele (nee Barney) Clementi.

He was a graduate of Joliet Central High School, Class of 1976 and attended Joliet Junior College.

Rick was employed for the City of Joliet for 36 years in a variety of jobs, Radio Room Dispatcher, Parking Meter Dept., Street Dept., Business License Inspector and Superintendent of the Water and Sewer Dept. He also served as Manager, Treasurer and Chief Executive Officer of the Joliet Municipal Employees Federal Credit Union for over 30 years. He retired from the City of Joliet on October 30, 2010, and from the Joliet Municipal Employees Federal Credit Union in November of 2015.

He was also a member and served in elected positions for the Joliet Public Library Board of Trustees; City of Joliet Local 440 Executive Board as Member, Treasurer and President; Joliet Housing Authority Board Member; Joliet District 86 Grade School Board Member and President; and a Precinct Committeeman 11th Election District of Joliet.

Rick also held memberships with the Joliet Moose Lodge, Lions Club, Will County Special Olympics, Easter Seals, and the Kiwanis Club.

Rick's favorite hobby for over 48 years was playing "Santa's Helper". It was very important to Rick that every child had a special Christmas. He was grateful that so many people invited him into their homes to share a little holiday cheer. His first Santa job was as a high school senior playing Santa for the Christmas program. Over the years, he visited over 50,000 children and adults providing them all with gifts, stockings filled with candy, toys or a candy cane. Many of the visits were to his closest friends, family members, friends of friends and so on. In addition, he visited several nursing homes, hospitals and schools. He joined many groups/club Christmas celebrations and even road on the Polar Express Train several times. When visiting the children in the hospital, he ensured that all received a gift from Santa, and he loved seeing the children smile when he walked into the room. One of his favorite adult stories was when walking through the hospital, a gentleman on his way to surgery hearing the 'Ho, Ho Ho' and Santa bells. The patient told the staff he couldn't go to surgery without seeing Santa first. Santa stopped everything to wish the patient good luck and giving him a special 'Ho, Ho, Ho' and he placed a candy cane on his bedside table to enjoy after surgery.

Rick was preceded in death by his loving grandparents, John R. and Loretta Barney; loving uncle and aunt, Jack and Roberta Barney; very special loving aunt, Josephine "Jaye" Barney; loving Mother and Father-in-law, Bernadette and Blasé Turk; and loving sister-in-law, Kathy Linsner.

Rick is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Pamela (nee Turk) Clementi; loving daughter, Angela Marie (Craig) Kelly; loving son, Anthony John Clementi; his furry grandpet, 'Simon', his precious loving grandchildren, Landon Christopher Kelly, papa's favorite fishing and football buddy; Brynn Bernadette Kelly, papa's favorite dancer and # 1 nurse; his very special loving uncle, William (late, Josephine "Jaye") Barney; loving brother and sister-in-law, Daniel and Christine Turk; special aunts and uncles, Elaine & Jerry Koehn and Marvin Yackley; 2 sisters, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

A Memorial Visitation will be held at the Farkas Funeral Home (Richard J. Tapella, Funeral Director) 3201 West Jefferson Street, Joliet on Monday, June 3, 2024 from 3 – 8 PM. A Memorial Service will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at 10 AM. Inurnment will follow the service at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, Romeoville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Rick's memory to https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/SPECIAL/RichardClementi

Rick was a proud member of the Will County Special Olympics and now shares his love with his grandson Landon who has been a Special Olympics athlete for the last two years. Donations will be made in Rick's memory.