Richard T. Desvernine Jr.

Richard T. Desvernine of Pemberton Street, Philadelphia, passed away peacefully March 17, at Vitas Hospice, Jefferson Methodist Hospital.

Richard was born in Plainfield, NJ, grew up in Bridgewater and Green Brook (NJ) where he lived until he moved to the city in 1987. When he bought his row home on Pemberton Street in the late nineties, he immediately became involved in the neighborhood, personally helping folks, and assisting them with navigating the complexities of city life. He became the 2200 Block Caption, a position he held until his passing. He saw the area through economic hardship, the epidemic, and all phases of redevelopment.

Starting with his involvement along with his family in the Nation’s first Earth Day in 1970, he was always a fierce fighter for the environment. Early on, he initiated a curbside tree planting program on his block. Several times a year, he would lead his neighbors in a mass cleanup, with a street party to follow. In the ’80’s he was an early activist with ACT UP Philadelphia, which would advocate for policy change, programs, and services for people with HIV/AID’s. Among this group’s achievements, they assisted in opening BETAK, (a nursing home slated for PWA patients), run by the Lutheran Home of Germantown, back to life through occupation after funding was cut.

All his life he remained a strong champion for social justice.

He loved the outdoors, biking all over the city, especially the parks along the Schuylkill River. He was a shareholder of the Neversink (NY) Whitewater Club, where he would camp each summer at a pristine preserve along the river with his lifelong friends.

Richard is survived by his parents, Richard (Sr) and Regina Desvernine, Whiting, NJ, his sisters Loretta Desvernine of Philadelphia and Anne Banafato and her husband Ron, of Annandale, NJ. He loved all his family which also includes: many aunts, uncles, and cousins: nephews; Tom Banafato and wife Eve and Chris Banafato and wife Anna; niece Sophia and husband Kevin Macauley; and his four grand nieces, Valentina, Stella, Josie, and Mila Mae. He dearly loved those babies! “Where da babies at?” was one of his favorite expressions.

The Desvernine Family is very grateful for the loving care Richard received by the amazing Hospice nurses and staff.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations may be made in his name to:

Jefferson Methodist Hospital

Vitas Hospice, (FL2)

1300 Wolf Street

Philadelphia PA 19148.

Also, a Memorial Tree Planting will be made in his name to the Philadelphia Park System.

A Celebration of his Life is to be held at his parents’ community center in Whiting NJ.