Richard Alexander Scuoteguazza

Dr Richard Alexander Scuoteguazza, a man of unwavering and profound faith in God as his Lord and Savior with the utmost integrity, passed away on November 20, 2024, in Lakeland, Florida. Born on May 2, 1937, in Brooklyn, New York, he lived a remarkable life of dedication, service, and commitment to his family, community and country.

Dr Richard's early years in Brooklyn laid the foundation for a life characterized by hard work and the beginning of his academic excellence. His pursuit of knowledge led him to earn seven degrees all of which were in serving others in a variety of ways, starting with serving in the military Army to becoming a police officer in NYC. Then, becoming an electrical engineer and then on to managing real estate properties and becoming a broker in real estate. Then, becoming a PC accountant, to becoming a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ after earning his bachelor's degree at East Coast Christian University in Florida. He then completed two years at the River Government University which further showcased his intellectual prowess, passion, and hunger for knowledge, evidenced by his multiple degrees.

A true patriot at heart in many ways, Dr Richard served his country with honor in the US Army for four years during the Korean war. His professional life was as varied as it was impressive, with notable tenures at AT&T and as a broker in Melbourne, Florida, where he resided for more than 40 years, he surrendered all his wealth to his true calling as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, where he earned his bachelor's degree in theology at the East Coast Christian University in Melbourne, Florida.

He then met the love of his life at The River Church of Tampa Bay and married Betty Nora Jane Fusco. It was in this role that Richard's faith-filled life shone brightest, as he dedicated himself to winning souls for the kingdom and living out the teachings of the Bible. Richard's generosity and wisdom were evident in his role as a volunteer as a minister in hospitals and nursing homes where he sought to heal the sick. Alongside his beloved wife, Betty Nora Jane Fusco Scuoteguazza, whom he married on May 30, 2014, he embarked on building the House of Joy of New Beginnings, as an outreach house for abused women and children. Though he did not see its completion, Betty is committed to fulfilling this mission in his memory.

Betty, who was married to Richard for a decade, says it felt more like a century, she describes him as the love of her life who gave her purpose. She finds it special that Dr Richard entered his true citizenship of heaven on her birthday, November 20th, a day that will forever be a poignant reminder of their shared love and Richard's lasting legacy.

Dr Richard Scuoteguazza was a devoted family man, cherished by his loving and devoted relationships with his children, Paul Jon Fusco, Katrina Tammy-Jo Gallick, Lisa-Marie K. Fusco, and Rocco P.D. Fusco. He was a guiding light to his eleven grandchildren, Jay Foster, Brittany Anne Foster Cruz, Serenity Foster, Kayla Sanchez, Kelsey Fusco, Emily Fusco, Anthony Fusco, Justin Galloway, Kyra Penny Fusco, Dominic Fusco, and Deven R Fusco, and his two great-grandchildren, Melani Sanchez and Katabella Cruz.

Preceded in death by his first wife, Felicia D., his parents, Elizabeth and Joseph, and his brother, Joseph Scuoteguazza, Richard's memory will always be cherished and kept alive by his loving family and the countless lives he touched.

Well done my good and faithful servant echoes out from the Kingdom of heaven. Dr Richard Alexander Scuoteguazza will be remembered as a man who lived his life with purpose and passion. His unwavering commitment to God, his close family, and his community made him a beacon of hope and a pillar of strength to all who knew him. His legacy of generosity, wisdom, and faith will continue to inspire and guide us, as we hold him in our hearts forever.

His wife, Betty, wishes to share a couple of heartfelt poems in his memory:
"Safely Home
I am home in Heaven, dear ones;
Oh, so happy and so bright!
There is perlect joy and beauty
In this everlasting light.
All the pain and grief is over, Every restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever,
Safely home in Heaven at last.
Did you wonder I so calmly
Trod the valley of the shade?
Oh! but Jesus' love illumined Every dark and fearful glade.
And He came Himself to meet me In that way so hard to tread;
And with Jesus' arm to lean on, Could I have one doubt or dread?
Then you must not grieve so sorely,
For I love you dearly still:
Try to look bevond earth's shadows,
Pray to trust our Father's Will.
There is work still waiting for you, So you must not idly stand;
Do it now, while life remaineth-
You shall rest in Jesus' land.
When that work is all completed, He will gently call you Home;
Oh, the rapture of that meeting, Oh, the joy to see you come!"

The second poem, a final expression of her heart:

When tomorrow starts without me, and I'm not there to see:
If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn't cry the way you did today,
While thinking of the many things we didn't get to say, I know how much you love me, as much as I love you, And each time you think of me I know you'll miss me too;
But when tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand, And said that my place was ready in heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind all those things I dearty love,
But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye,
For all life, I'd always thought I didn't want to die.
I had so much to live for and so much yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible that I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays, the good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared and all the fun we had.
If I could relove yesterday, I thought, just for awhile,
I'd say goodbye and kiss you and maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized that this could never be,
For emptiness and memories would take the place of me.
And then I thought of worldly things that I'd miss tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through Heaven's gates, I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me, from His great golden throne,
He said, "This is eternity and all I've promised you." Today for life on earth is past but here it starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last,
And since each day's the same day, there's no longing for the past.
But you have been so faithful, so trusting, and so true.
Though there were times you did some things you knew you shouldn't do.
But you have been forgiven and now at least you're free.
So won't you take my hand and share my life with me?
So when tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me, I'm right here in your heart."


Online condolences can be made at www.lanier.care.
Funeral arrangements were trusted to Lanier Funeral and Cremation Services, 717 Griffin Road Lakeland, FL 33805, (863) 687-3996

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