Richard Joseph Prochazka Sr.

WATERTOWN  Richard Joseph Prochazka Sr., 60, of Watertown, died Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2002, at Waukesha Memorial Hospital. He was born in Chicago on Aug. 26, 1942, to Edward F. and Emilie (nee Peca) Prochazka.

Richard attended Oconomowoc High School and married Mary Lee Coleman in Chicago on July 29, 1971. He had been employed at Husco International in Waukesha until his retirement. Richard was a member of St. BernardÕs Catholic Church in Watertown, the Watertown Senior Center and Ducks Unlimited, and was a real nature lover. He was a kind, gentle and compassionate person, and Christmas was a very special time of the year for him.

He is lovingly survived by his wife, Mary Lee (nee Coleman) Prochazka of Watertown; his son and daughter-in-law, Richard Joseph Jr. and Lynn Prochazka of Waukesha; his daughter/granddaughter, Dana Marisa Fide of Waterford; and stepdaughters Lisa Ann McGrath and Jennifer Lee Bradney; a sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Daniel Zindars of Watertown; a brother, Edward James Prochazka of Delafield; a niece and nephew-in-law, Teresa and Brett Heimer of Oconomowoc; a nephew, Edward Joseph Prochazka; five stepgrandchildren, Adam Keating, Nicole (Paul) Hardin, Britani McGrath, Kyle Turner and Ryan Thomas; and a stepgreat-granddaughter, Victoria Rose Hardin. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Emilie Prochazka.

Friends may visit from 10 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Watertown; the Rev. Thomas Marr will officiate. Interment will be in St. Bernard’s Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the Watertown Humane Society, St. Bernard’s Catholic Church or the Watertown Food Pantry.