Death of a Classmate - Deke Bordone, 4th Company

Retired U.S. Navy Capt. Richard P. "Deke" Bordone died Aug. 21, 2007, in Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital. A Virginia Beach resident for most of his life, Capt. Bordone was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., and was a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1954. He was a Naval aviator and Vietnam veteran with decorations and awards including four Silver Stars, six Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star, 19 Air Medals with seven stars, two Purple Hearts and four Navy Commendation Medals with Combat "V." He was the commanding officer of the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA 42), the USS Savannah (AOR 4), Carrier Air Wing Three and Attack Squadron Seventy Five and a member of the coveted Early And Pioneer Naval Aviators Association "Golden Eagles." He served his country in peacetime and in combat for more than 30 years and retired from the Navy in 1980. Since retirement, he served in industry as vice president with Engineering Professional Services in Tinton Falls, N.J. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary Belle of Virginia Beach; two daughters, Renee Biegum and her husband Daniel of Chesapeake and Andrea Ghenea and her husband Serban of Virginia Beach; two sons, Mike Bordone and his wife Wanda of Fayetteville, N.C., and Bob Bordone and his wife Donna of Chesapeake; and eight grandchildren, Alicia, Eric, Bryce, Britt, Nick, Zack, Alex and Bella. The family would like to offer special thanks to Dr. Alberico, Dr. Ryan, Dr. Lanove and Dr. Parks and the staff of Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital for their loving care. The Mass of the Resurrection will be held at the Naval Air Station Oceana Chapel of the Good Shepherd at 1 p.m. Saturday with Cmdr. Joseph A. Scordo, CHC officiating. Burial with full military honors will be at Arlington National Cemetery. If you plan to attend the Mass, please call H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts. at (757) 428-7880 in order to provide us with information for entry to the base. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the National Museum of Naval Aviation, 1750 Radford Blvd., Naval Air Station, Pensacola, FL 32508 or to Wounded Warriors, 1719 N. 60th St., Omaha, NE 68104. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Laskin Road Chapel, is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be sent at http://www.hdoliver.com/.