Richard was born in Woodside, NY, to Magdalen Fetterer and Joseph O'Toole. When he was 5 he contracted rheumatic fever and a heart murmur, and with his mom moved to Coral Gables so he could enter the Children's Cardiac Hospital. He grew up in South Miami with his mom and stepdad, Jim Murdock. He went to Southwest Miami High, St. Petersburg Community College, and graduated from FSU where his met his wife, Dolores (Dee). Richard served his country proudly as a medic during the Vietnam War era in the Army Reserves.

Richard led a very full life, with his career started in banking then progressed to Financial Consulting. While working for Chase Manhattan Bank they lived in St. Thomas and St. Croix for 8 years, and Hong Kong for 3 years. After returning to the States, they lived in New Jersey for 17 years where he was a Co-Founder and Senior Partner of Beacon Financial Group established in 1996. In 2000 Richard established the New Smyrna Beach office.

Living overseas influenced his love of traveling, and he and Dee traveled throughout the world. Richard loved keeping lists and tracked how many countries visited and met his goal of 70.

In New Smyrna Beach he was active in the Coast Guard Auxiliary, member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, a volunteer at Marine Discovery Center, and served on his condo board for 14 years.

Richard had a deep passion for the sea; as an enthusiastic scuba diver for over 60 years, he explored many underwater reefs and wrecks in various oceans throughout the world. Sharks were his obsession, ever since he first encountered a hammerhead in Key West when he was still a teenager. And he loved to share his many diving experiences and shark encounters through presentations with organizations in his community. Richard also enjoyed tennis, kayaking, and wind surfing.

Most importantly, Richard was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother. He is survived by his wife Dolores of 57 years; son Richard "Rick" and daughter-in-law Joni; son Christopher "Chris" and daughter-in-law Tracy; and adored grandchildren Alyssa, Francis, Melody, Ryan; and Jason and Justin Seager. He is also survived by his beloved sister CaroleLea, husband Steve Cox and their family, and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Betty and Jerry Starkey and their family.

A Celebration of Life will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations can be made to:

The Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL) – a non-profit, environmental NGO that is on a mission to save the world's coral reefs. http://www.coral.org/

Ocean First Institute – It's Mission is to advance the conservation of sharks and all ocean life through cutting-edge research, education, and community engagement that empowers people to protect our blue planet. www.OceanFirstInstitute.org Halifax Health Hospice, Edgewater – https://halifaxhealth.org/hospice-information/give