Richard C. Krol

A Celebration of Life Richard Krol

July 25, 1927 - August 30, 2025

Richard “Dick” Krol, 98, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loving family. His life was filled to the brim — with love, laughter, adventure, and purpose. 

Born in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, Dick set out early on to build an abundant life. He and his young sweetheart Diane built their union together from the ground up, moving from Brooklyn to Long Island with a young family in tow. Together, they raised 10 children (Dick, Bob, Sue, Tom, Eileen, Michael, Tim, Ken, Carol and Chrissy and watched that family grow to include sons and daughters-in-law – Teresa, Joe, Louise, Simon, Millie, and Jill; 11 grandchildren – Kaitlin, Tom Jr. (and Julie), Tracy (and Jordan), Rosemarie (and Alex), Liam, Lena, Danny, Emily, Anna (and Julio), Maddy, Jane; and 7 great-grandchildren (Logan, Lacie, Lily, Lucas, Levi, Thomas, and Amari) — all of whom adored him.

Dick, or “Richie,” as Diane preferred to call him, proudly served in the U.S. Navy during both World War II and the Korean War. He returned from Korea to meet his newborn son, Richard. He resumed his life with Diane, and thus unfolded an epic love story that would last an extraordinary 74 years and 10 months. Their bond was legendary — warm, fun, enduring — and like a vintage port, it became better with time. Diane passed away in March 2024, and it’s easy to imagine Richie didn’t want to be too far behind her. 

After his service in the Navy in 1952, Rich became a New York City firefighter, returning to his Brooklyn roots. He wore the badge with pride and worked hard — often juggling side jobs to keep his growing family comfortable. Through it all, he kept his trademark humor intact. He was always ready with a joke, a funny face, or dancing around the kitchen in a ridiculous hat with or without a dance partner.

Richie Krol was a man of heart as a husband, dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, uncle, friend, and neighbor. He was a gifted artist and craftsman. After retiring from the FDNY in 1977, he reinvented himself as a master carpenter; first homes, then boats. His skills evolved to many years of work as a marine carpenter. The projects always found him — not the other way around — through word of mouth and the quality of his work. 

Richie’s retirement years were full of new adventures. Boating was his lifelong love, and that’s when the nickname “Captain” stuck for so many among his family and friends. His time with the Freeport Yacht Club included deep friendships and endless boat trips. 

When he wasn’t at sea, Captain was traveling the country in the “land yacht,” his Airstream RV, and wintering at Travelers’ Rest in Dade City, Florida. True to form, wherever he went, he made new friends, enjoyed life's moments, and let all of us know in detail of their pursuits in every new adventure. 

It is with profound joy we all can understand that Richie is now reunited with his best gal.

In lieu of flowers, Donations can be made to Tunnel to Towers in Richard's memory.