Richard Michael Cini, 88, of Monroeville and formerly Wampum, died Sept. 12, 2023, after a short battle with cancer.

The deceased was born Nov. 1, 1934, in Chewton to Stella Sobczak Cini and Joseph Cini.

During The Depression, Richard and his brother were raised by his single mother with help from her siblings.

Richard graduated from Wampum High School in 1952.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army for two years, graduating Signal School in Fort Gordon, Georgia, and then serving in the Reserves. His military records were destroyed in a fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri in 1973. The federal government refused to acknowledge his service.

He married Carole Golla on June 11, 1960, at St. Mary's Church of New Castle. They have one daughter.

His professional life varied, working in finance, agriculture and remanufacturing. During his senior years, he was very proud to be a top-rated seller on Ebay, shipping water pumps for industrial engines to customers across America and as far away as France.

Richard was a cowboy at heart. Friends and family often referred to him as John Wayne. He loved watching "Gunsmoke," listening to country music and, when irritated, cursing up a storm. He wore his cowboy boots until his final days.

Richard is survived by his daughter, Mary Warwick, and son-in-law Robert Warwick of Murrysville, Pennsylvania; grandson, Connor Warwick of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; brother, Joseph Cini, and his wife, Elizabeth, of Wampum; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Carole.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Marshall Funeral Home, 341 Main St., Wampum. Viewing hours are 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, at the funeral home. Burial will be private, at the request of the deceased.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wampum Chapter of the North Country Trail Association, PO Box 795, Wampum, PA 16157.

Online condolences may be offered at marshallsfh.com.