Richard B Margerison

“Dick” Richard B. Margerison, of Avalon NJ & Florham Park

1932 – March 23, 2026

Dick rejoined the love of his life Pauline on Monday March 23, passing at home at the age of 94.

Dick lived for his family and friends.  Born in Philadelphia PA in 1932 to the late Margaret & Albert Margerison, he graduated from Cheltenham High School before earning his BS and MS in Chemistry at Lehigh University. He met and married Pauline Staffieri while attending Lehigh. Together they moved to Charlottesville VA where they started their family while Dick earned his PhD in Chemistry, then settled in Florham Park. Dick’s thirty plus year career at Ciba-Geigy yielded many patents and more importantly, many friends and colleagues with whom he enjoyed talking to at the annual CIBA Buddies gatherings.

In retirement Dick and Pauline enjoyed extended summers in Avalon – “Heaven on Earth” – creating warm memories for everyone they touched, especially their grandchildren. Following Pauline’s death, he maintained his love for the shore, continuing to cultivate vegetables, flowers and friends for 11 more years.

Gifted with many interests, talents, and natural curiosity, he enjoyed gardening, baking bread, and reading, especially history books. He always made time for family and friends sharing wise counsel, when solicited, in a firm yet supportive manner. A pragmatic optimist, he believed in hard work, a positive attitude, and a focus on people.

Dick is survived by his four children Rick (and wife Jane), Lee (and wife Beth), Beth, and Sue Bevilacqua; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, as well as many dear friends. Predeceasing Dick were Pauline, his wife of 61 years, brothers Earl and John, sisters-in-law Evelyn Margerison and Marietta Smith, sons-in-law Bill Laurent and Joe Bevilacqua, and nephew John Margerison, and many dear friends.

The family would like to thank the caregivers and hospice folks who cared for Dad and kept him comfortable, with special heartfelt thanks to Peaches.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Foundation for Morristown Medical Center https://www.f4mmc.org/donate-now/ or the Avalon Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad.

Visitation at the Leonardis Memorial Home, Inc., 210 Ridgedale Avenue, Florham Park on Thursday, March 26th from 4-7pm.  Funeral on Friday, March 27th, assembling at the funeral home at 9am, followed by the funeral mass at St. Vincent Martyr Roman Catholic Church in Madison at 10am.  Interment at St. Vincent's Cemetery in Madison.  

For those not able to attend, the funeral mass will be offered on the church's livestream, by clicking on the following link:  https://svmnj.org/livestream-mass