Richard J. Mazloom

Richard Joseph Mazloom, age 72 of Wayne passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Sunday March 6, 2022.

Richard was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY in a time when playing stickball in the streets was one of the great past times of young children. One of three children, Richard was the only son to Albert and Elizabeth Mazloom.  Rich attended Brooklyn Prep High School. During his high school years, he spent time studying abroad in Germany and thrived on the debate team until subsequently graduating with the class of 1968.

Following his graduation from high school, Rich attended Fordham University in New York City.  While at Fordham he was an active member of the cheerleading roster and a DJ for Fordham’s radio station, WFUV.  Specifically, he ran the Arabic speaking station playing music and announcing community events.  After graduating and receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in 1972, Rich continued working for WFUV at Fordham for many years.  His show “Middle East Melodies” was a staple in the Arabic community. Rich’s passion for being a DJ did not end there, he was a party DJ up until the very end. After graduating from Fordham, Rich quickly found work.  He was employed by several companies in New York City in the Marketing and Advertising industry.  Later, Richard became a successful entrepreneur in the industry, owning and operating several of his own businesses throughout his lifetime.

In 1979, Rich married Diana Hemerlein and together they settled in Brooklyn.  While living there, they welcomed their first child, Jason.  The family then moved to Wayne in 1981 where they welcomed their next two children; Amanda and Gregory.  Rich remained in Wayne, NJ for the next forty years.  During that time, he met his life partner, Rowena Devlin whom he has been with ever since.  In 2021 Rich moved to Nathalie, VA.  After relocating from New Jersey, Rich & Rowena enjoyed splitting their time between the beach house in Emerald Isle, NC and the farmhouse in Nathalie, VA.

Rich was an avid car collector over his lifetime.  Of the many classic cars he had owned and restored, his pride and joy was his 1974 Corvette Stingray.  He attended and competed in many local car shows through the years and had accumulated a robust collection of trophies for his prize vehicles.  He was also a collector of Lionel Toy Trains, however, he referred to himself not as a collector, but as a “conductor.”  In addition to classic cars and toy trains, Rich was an avid antique collector as well.  A true treasure hunter, Rich never could resist the chance to peruse an antique shop.  He was a Boy Scout Leader for many years while his children were growing up and was the founder of Wayne Boy Scout Troop #130.  He cherished yearly vacations with his family to the Jersey Shore and to Ridin-Hy Ranch located in upstate New York. During the summer, when not at the shore, Rich could be found relaxing at the Wayne Public Pool, often playing a game of handball. Ever the party host, Rich loved to throw parties all year long.  You would never find his dessert table without Mallomars as he was quite the enthusiast. Aside from his talents, hobbies and interests, his greatest passion was for his family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Rich than spending time with his children and especially his grandchildren.

He was truly devoted to his Catholic Faith and was a long-time parishioner of St. Ann’s Melkite Catholic Church in Woodland Park, NJ.  Rich was a unique individual.  He lived life by his own rules and his friends referred to him as “eccentric.” He was loved by his friends and family and will be sincerely missed by everyone who knew him.

Richard is survived by his life partner Rowena Devlin of Nathalie, VA, his son Richard “Jay” Mazloom & his wife Amanda of Washington DC, his daughter Amanda Mazloom of Queens, NY, and his son Gregory Mazloom & his wife Annie of Wayne, NJ, two sisters; Rosemary Shabouk and Evelyn Mazloom, and four grandchildren; Aiden, Angelina, Ava and Scarlett Mazloom.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Richard’s name may be made to Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10306.  http://www.t2t.org