Richard Price

Richard Rocco Price passed away peacefully February 27, 2022 after a sudden, terrible experience with appendiceal cancer at which he fought tirelessly to beat. He was 59.

He was born in Atlantic City to Edward Drexel Price and Marie Frances (Passalaqua) Price December 26, 1962, the youngest of three.

He graduated Atlantic City HS and then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, stationed at Camp Lejeune where he was exposed to the toxic chemical water spill that may have contributed to his illness. He served for 4 years prior the Gulf War from 1982-1986.

Returning to Atlantic City he worked in the casino and hotel industry in various positions from slot attendant to housekeeping manager for the Trump resorts and with the Continental Hotel.  Richard always reminisced about Brigantine Castle and the Old Atlantic City of years prior to the casino development. Richard left the casino industry, and worked as a food manager for Wawa, Inc., transferring to Pennsylvania with his new partner and eventual husband.

Richard loved animals especially exotic ones. He once owned a 19-foot Burmese python which he donated to the Philadelphia Zoo. His latest pal is a Sulcata tortoise he named Oscar. Rich loved gardening and he enjoyed the cultivation of tropical plants and successfully grew banana, lemon and date trees.

Over the years, Rich also became an avid antique clock collector and horologist in his own right through this new hobby and amassed a large collection of cuckoo and grandfather clocks as well as other styles of clocks.  He loved simple pleasures: Mickey Mouse, antique shopping, rollercoasters, video games. He also was interested in Civil War history, the Titanic legend and was talented in woodworking and model making.

Richard, one of few good men who despite his simple view of life was slight in words, but amazingly courageous in action and morality. His life was unfairly cut short by the circumstances of cancer and he was not able to enjoy the harvest of a life of hard work. For this, we all mourn his loss with great sorrow.

He is preceded in death by his mother and father, his brother-in-law Kenneth Grattan and his much-loved pets, Zeus and Trigger. He is survived by his loving husband Martin Daynorowicz and the extended family he gained in the Daynorowicz’s who embraced and adored him; his daughter Kirsten (Said) and his sons Anthony and Alex (Jay); his sister Theresa Grattan, his brother Frank Price, his nephews Michael Grattan and Frank Price Jr; his niece Theresa Perez and his grandchildren Layani, Avery and Amelie. He is also survived by his latest feline friend, Freddy.

A Life Celebration will be held at a later date and Richie will be returned to his most-loved stomping grounds off the boardwalk and beaches of Atlantic City.  Memorial contributions can be made to any chapter of the ASPCA.