Richard John Gaynor

Richard John Gaynor, 67, of Salem passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on February 12, 2015 after a brave battle with cancer. He was born on March 8, 1947 in New York City to his parents Vincent James Gaynor and Margaret Mary Kinsella. He is survived by his wife, Jeannie White-Gaynor of Salem; son, Austin White-Gaynor; daughters, Ashley Hart (Zach) and Brianna White-Gaynor; grandson, Landon Hart; brother, Vincent Gaynor (Phyllis); sisters, Janet Apfel (Richard), Margaret Lisciandrello (Ron), Maureen McDonald (Steve), Patricia Gaynor; and 16 nieces and nephews. Richard was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend, coach, teacher and counselor. He loved playing guitar, golfing, photography, reading, and spending time with family, especially his grandson. He graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School in New York and received his Bachelors from Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia and Masters degrees from Radford College. Richard served in the Air Force and worked for more than thirty years as a professor and Assistant Dean of Social Sciences at Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke. He also served as a licensed counselor, impacting so many lives. Richard was instrumental in founding the Peninsula Free Clinic in Hampton, Virginia and the New River Valley Free Clinic in Christiansburg, Virginia. The family will receive friends for visitation from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday, February 15th, 2015 at John M. Oakey & Son funeral home in Salem. A funeral mass will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 16th, 2015 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Salem, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, the family requests honoring Richards memory by contributing to the Richard J. Gaynor Memorial Scholarship for Virginia Western Community College. Donations can be mailed to The Richard J. Gaynor Memorial Scholarship, c/o VWCC Education Foundation Inc., 3093 Colonial Ave., Roanoke, VA 24015. To contribute online, please visit http://goo.gl/DYIMoc. Arrangements by John M. Oakey and Son, Salem, 540-389-5441. An online guestbook is available by visiting www.johnmoakey.comVisitation

Sunday, February 15th, 2015 6:00pm - 8:00pm,

John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home

305 Roanoke Boulevard Salem, Virginia 24153

Service Information

Monday, February 16th, 2015 2:00pm,

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church

314 Turner Rd Salem, VA 24153