Richard Ira Pokrass

May 19, 1952 - February 13, 2021

Richard Ira Pokrass, 68, a resident of Cape Coral, FL for more than ten years, formerly of Philadelphia, PA, passed away Saturday, February 13, 2021 in Cape Coral. He was born May 19, 1952 in Philadelphia, PA to Albert and Ida Pokrass, both now deceased.

Richard was of the Jewish faith. He was a wonderful, fun-loving, optimistic and adventurous person, deeply loved among his many long term friends in Cape Coral and the Philadelphia area. Richard never had a bad word to say about anyone. He was an accomplished bagel baker for the majority of his working career. During his lifetime, Richard enjoyed the companionship of numerous pet dogs and cats, was an avid poker player, and traveled in the USA and overseas. He will be missed by so many.

He is survived by his loving brother, Barry Pokrass, of Bethesda, MD; niece, Tracy Wood, and nephews, Ethan and Jackson Wood of Rockville, MD; his cousins, including Stanley and Bruce Pokras and Milton Silverstein, all of the Philadelphia area. In Cape Coral, his closest friends were Robin and Susan Smith and Carol Morin.

Richard was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Barbara Pokrass in 2012. A former marriage to Licia (Brogno) Pokrass ended in divorce.

A virtual Celebration of Life will be held via Zoom at a later date. Details to be announced by the family.

Memorial contributions in memory of Richard Ira Pokrass may be made via donations to the Lee Health Foundation of Fort Myers, FL (leehealthfoundation.org), 9800 South Healthpark Drive, Suite 405, Fort Myers, FL 33908.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.

Guestbook

  1. Carol and Bob Carcione Feb 16, 2021 at 12:32 pm

    Richie was a dear friend of my husband and was in our wedding 43 years ago. We will miss him and send our condolences to his family.

  2. Bob Carcione Feb 16, 2021 at 4:16 pm

    Will miss you brother. See you later!

  3. Elizabeth wills Feb 17, 2021 at 6:33 pm

    Those angels are so lucky.bagels for everybody.he grew up with my children and got me interested in space aliens. Bless you and may you rest in the Lord.the wills family

  4. Andi Raizeman Babins Feb 17, 2021 at 7:02 pm

    So sorry to hear of his passing.May is memory be a blessing to his family and friends.

  5. Trudy Craney Feb 17, 2021 at 10:52 pm

    This one hits hard. Wasn’t supposed to end like this. Was a happy guy. Rip, buddy.

  6. Bob Moore Feb 26, 2021 at 7:48 pm

    Rich and Joe are now back scheming up something that will make them some money. RIP my across the driveway friend.

  7. Milton Silverstein Feb 27, 2021 at 8:21 pm

    Outside of being my very close cousin (my mother Nettie and his mother Ida were close sisters)
    Richard you were known as a Gita Nushuma.
    R.I.P. My Wonderful cousin,
    Loved being with you Rich.

  8. Marge Reitano Mar 2, 2021 at 9:56 pm

    Rich, I am missing you so much. You were like a big brother to me. We loss a good friend together 5 weeks before you left us. All I can hope is that you are having a great time with Jack. So many people are missing you. Enjoy a really good bagel with your many co-bakers/friends up there. I wish you well. Love ya, Marge

  9. Tia Deflavia Mar 3, 2021 at 8:34 am

    Richie was a loyal friend for 4 7 years. I originally met him through my ex husband Jeffrey Hershoff, (recently deceased) in 1974. We traveled the country together in the late 90’s in pursuit of riverboat, video gaming with positive expectation. He was a loving and kind friend, loyal to the end. We just recently had a long conversation about the past, and how we always could laugh at ourselves. Rest In Peace my friend, you did good. ♥️💫

  10. Rita Elaine Hertzog Apr 11, 2021 at 8:40 am

    Richie,

    I’ve known you my whole life and you were like a wonderful Uncle to me. I still have many memories growing up and watching you and my parents Jack and Tia play cards together. I’ve heard many stories of the time you and my Dad worked on a Kabutz in Israel, and all through the years your time in Vegas and AC with my Dad. You’ve lived a very exciting and wonderful life and I am sorry it ended too soon. I will never forget how you showed up for my family when we lost my Dad just a short month before we lost you. On behalf of my Father, I know how much it meant to him, and how important your friendship was to him. Hopefully, you and my Dad are somewhere beautiful over the rainbow together. Holding your family and friends close during this time of loss. May your memory always be a blessing to all who knew you.

    Rita Hertzog (daughter of Jack Hershoff)

  11. Michael Soloby Apr 12, 2021 at 3:10 pm

    Rich was a gentleman, excellent poker player, and an even better friend. I miss him very much and think of him often. When I count my blessings Rich is definitely on the list.

  12. Tracy Apr 15, 2021 at 7:42 am

    We were so saddened to find out Rich passed. He was an amazing Friend for over 50 years to Michael and myself. He kept in touch and was always organizing reunions.
    We visited him some years ago in Florida and when he would come in he visited us. Miss you 😢 Rich.
    Last conversation I called him in the Hospital and was shocked he answered and Thanked me for calling.

  13. Kimberly Gibbs Apr 17, 2021 at 1:32 am

    Uncle Richie was always a funny and happy person. Always liked his visits when we were kids. I just wish we visited more as we got older. Love ya Uncle Richie.
    Love
    Kimberly

  14. Bruce Pokras Apr 25, 2021 at 6:51 pm

    I have fond memories of Rich from our childhood since we were first cousins only about a year apart in age. He departed this world much too early!

  15. Nathan Brown Apr 26, 2021 at 12:05 pm

    Richie will be missed by all the bagel people in Philadelphia and especially by me Nathan Brown

  16. Sandy Oct 8, 2021 at 7:09 pm

    Such a joker, he was. When we met the first time he told me he was rich. We had the best of times. Rest in peace, Rich. You are missed.

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