Richard Canapary, age 65, of Pahrump, Nevada and former Oak Park resident passed away suddenly October 10, 2018. He was born in Brooklyn, NY to Robert and Anne where they lived until moving to Oak Park when Rich was three years old. Rich spent his childhood there and graduated from Oak Park River Forest High School. He attended Triton College before heading out to the University of Arizona. While in Tucson he joined the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
Rich then enlisted in and proudly served in the Marine Corps Reserve where he earned the rank of Sergeant. After receiving an honorable discharge, he returned to Illinois, got a real estate broker’s license and began working for Inland Real Estate. On weekends, Rich worked for the Illinois Auxiliary Police. It is at Inland that he met the girl he would marry, Sandra Weyenberg. They married in 1985 and shared their life together for 33 years.
After Inland, Rich attended Heating and Air Conditioning school and opened his own company. However, his time spent in the Southwest was always on his mind. He loved the weather and the desert. In 1999, Sandee and Rich moved to Pahrump, NV.
There he worked along with Sandee at Channels 30 and 62. He loved being on television as a co-host to the morning show and filling in on Swap Shop. He was a real ham in front of the camera.
In 2006, Rich and Sandee and others formed a group called “Nye County Gold Seekers”. On Saturdays, the group would travel to the old mining town of Johnny and pan for gold. Fun times except for the snakes.
Everyone who remembers him is asked to celebrate Rich’s life in their own way. Raising a glass of their favorite drink in his memory would be quite appropriate.
Rich is survived by his beloved wife Sandee; mother Anne; siblings Mary Anne Manley, Sue (Michael) Flanagan, Jim (Linda), and Joanne (Greg) Stopka; brother-in-law Greg (Gloria) Weyenberg; nieces and nephews Brock (Kara), Jackie, Sean (Katie), Heather (Rev. Catherine), Bob, Jenny, Karen and granduncle to Clare. Rich is preceded in death by his father Robert and his nephew Lucas.
Visitation, Saturday, March 23rd from 9:30 a.m. until time of mass 10:30 a.m. at St. Luke’s Church, 7600 Lake St., River Forest. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, donations to Friends of Strays Inc. P.O. Box 315, Princeton, IL 61356 (friendsofstraysshelter.org) are appreciated.

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