Obituary of Richard H. Hackett

Richard Henry Hackett, of Centerville, PA, passed away peacefully on December 16, 2014, surrounded by his children. Richard was born April 18, 1925 in Franklin, Pa., to Carl Peter and Marion Graham Hackett. He was preceded in death by his wife Kathryn Melville Hackett, and a son, Richard Greg. He is survived by his children Michael W. Hackett, Peter R. (Melissa) Hackett, Lisa (Randy) Staggs, and numerous grandchildren and great-children. Richard was a decorated war veteran of WWII and the Korean War. In WWII he was a member of the 63rd Infantry Division, 254th Infantry Regiment. For his bravery he was awarded two Bronze Stars, four Presidential Citations; including one for seizing the German Siegfried Line and one for Ardennes/Alsace Campaign, also known as the Battle of the Bulge. The French Government awarded the 254th the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for fighting 169 continuous days from the Mediterranean beaches to the banks of the Rhine. The Regiment was also recognized by the Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Center of Military history for their ‘heroism, gallantry, and help”, in liberating those being held prisoner in the subcamps at Dachau. Richard loved to draw, dance, read, play pinochle, build model ships, photography, and spend time with family and friends. Family and friends may call at Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home, 303 N. Washington St, Titusville, Pa., on Friday, December 19, from 10:00 A.M. until 12:00 P.M. with the funeral service immediately following with Pastor Gary Kinnear retired Baptist minister, officiating. Interment with full military honors will be held at Kingsley Cemetery, Townville, Pa. A luncheon will be held in his honor immediately following at the VFW, 206 Saint John St, Titusville, Pa. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made in his honor to The Wounded Warrior Project, WoundedWarrior.org, or the charity of one’s choice.