Richard Eugene Stephen King

A silent leader, patient guide, and persevering soul. He loved God, his family, and solving the world's problems over a cup of tea. A fervent devotee to the family rosary, he prayed to our Lady daily and encouraged his children to do the same. While his children would refuse or begrudgingly comply under normal circumstances, once he grew ill and eventually underwent his final hospitalization, his children began praying the rosary fervently with and for him. In fact, during that rollercoaster stay, they said up to 7 rosaries a day with him while navigating God's straight path with crooked handwriting.

Born to Dr. Richard and Maura (Connolly) King in Arklow, in County Wicklow near Dublin Ireland on December 7, 1949. He was shortly joined by his younger brother Declan "Gerard" and sister Annita. His father died soon after Annita's birth leaving his mother and extended family to raise him.

He quickly grew up and met the love of his life, Mia Kelly, on a blind date. Much to his everlasting happiness, they joined each other in holy matrimony on 3/31/1975 – Easter Monday – as such, they opted for 2 wedding anniversaries every year thereafter. Richard was promoted to fatherhood when they welcomed a son, Richard. They quickly (over 22 years) added 10 more children: Meghan, Cecilia, Bernard, Agnes, Maura, Theresa, Marty, Brigid, Jacinta, and David. He was promoted to father-in-law to Caroline and Karissa and he earned the title of granddad to Peter, Jason, Astrid, Sam, Genevieve, Tommy, John David and Mark, Ella and Max. He lost his third child, Cecilia, a month after her birth. While we are sad to see him go, we know Cecilia is very excited to welcome him home.

Richard and Mia had a zest for travel and decided to move from Ireland to California for "1- year". While Richard was one of the brightest men out there, his planning was not his strong suit. One year lasted over 20 in the states - including an additional move to Kentucky. In New Hope, Kentucky he joined the Saint Martin De Porres Community as a third-order Dominican, where he made lifelong friends and devoted his life to the pro-life cause. His travel bug bit again and he moved his family to Brussels, Belgium for another "1-year" trip working with his sister-in-law Kathy in the European Parliament. Richard and Mia lived in Belgium for 16 years. Then they decided to move to Ireland upon retirement, however, this "final" move ended after just under a year. At this time, he returned to New Hope where he was welcomed with open arms, and where he remained to live out his final days.

Throughout his life, he had an open-door policy to all friends and family. He and Mia opened their home throughout their marriage to loved ones. Notably, during the "Donkey Farm" years - a nod to the old farmhouse in Belgium that was named by their grandson, Jason. During that time, after Mia's sister tragically passed, leaving behind 7 children, Richard and Mia welcomed their nieces and nephews with open arms. At one point, they cared for 13 children under eighteen in their home. A remarkable example of hospitality and love. Richard had a deep empathy for Michael, Amy, Therese, Michelle, Joe, Mary Rose, and Mia. He recognized the pain they felt at losing a parent too soon and looked out for them. He was also joined for multiple years by his nieces Mary and Emma Sinnott while their mom served in the Parliament. He fondly remembered his years in Belgium as a time of adventure, family time, and a little bit of chaos.

Before coming home to New Hope, Richard was diagnosed with IPF, which started a 5-year battle that he fought valiantly alongside his beloved family, friends, and fellow parishioners. Once home, Richard devoted his waning energy to first Saturday devotion at his parish, Saint Vincent DePaul, and weekly rosaries in the Mother of Sorrows chapel with his family and his beloved friends, Ann Brown, and the Pimentel, Monaghan, and Musk families.

Richard's time on earth came to an end on May 29th, 2024 just before the hour of mercy, at 2:30 pm at Jewish Hospital in Louisville. He was surrounded by his wife, family in person and on video, his dear friend, a caring CVICU team, and his pastor on his deathbed as he set off on his final journey. Although this is a painful memory to the loved ones he leaves behind, his final moments set a beautiful example of a good Catholic death. As his pastor said, "he held one arm of the cross and Jesus carried the other up and over the hill of Calvary." Many rosaries and chaplets of mercy were said, "Salve Regina" was sung, and recordings of his goddaughter's sacred music were played as he passed from this life to the next. May the Angels welcome his soul into Paradise and may Richard Stephen King reserve a seat at the table of God's banquet for all those dear to him, too many to name. May he Rest in Peace.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 104 Church Street, New Hope, KY.  Revs. Brendon Kelly, Matthew Hardesty, and Keith Chadwick will concelebrate.  Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

The visitation is from 4 pm until 8 pm Monday at 3050 Gap Knob Road, New Hope, in the Assembly Room, with prayer services at 7 pm.  Additional visitation will be held from 8 am until 10 am Tuesday at the church.  Mattingly Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.

The funeral will be livestreamed onto the Mattingly Funeral Home Facebook page.