Richard "Uncle Richie" DeLusant passed away on Thursday, April 20, 2017 at home in Fanwood surrounded by his loving family. He was 74 years old.

Born in Elizabeth, he was raised in Linden and resided in Fanwood for the past 25 years.

Mr. DeLusant was employed as a driver with McKesson in Swedesboro for many years and for Federal Express in Keasbey for the past 12 years.

Uncle Richie was considered by most people he met to be family because he treated everyone like family. With his explosive personality and love for life, he was always the life of the party and could make anyone laugh. Hardworking and sincere, he was a man loved, respected and admired by so many.

His greatest passion was spending time with his family, especially his granddaughter, Kerala. He embraced life and adventure. Richard loved traveling the country with his horses to places like Yellowstone National Park and to tropical beaches in Mexico with his wife, Nancy. He enjoyed fishing, dancing, working out and horseback riding. His other interests included attending UFC fights and getting tattoos with his son, Richard.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Clayton; his children, Christina DeLusant and Richard B. DeLusant; step-children, Crawford Clayton, Matthew Clayton, Jason Clayton and Samantha Clayton; a sister, Barbara Kleinhans; two brothers, Joseph DeLusant and Eugene DeLusant; and many nieces and nephews; and was a wonderful pop-pop to Kerala Verghese.

Funeral services will take place on Monday, April 24, 2017 at 9:45 a.m. from Costello-Greiner Funeral Home , 44 Green Street at Barron Avenue, Woodbridge. A Mass of Resurrection will follow at 10:30 a.m. at Saint James Catholic Church, Woodbridge. Interment will be in Rosehill Cemetery, Linden. Visiting hours will be on Sunday from 2:00 until 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital (stjude.org), 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.