The Honorable Richard A. Scully died Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at his home in Bethany Beach, DE, at the age of 84. Born February 22, 1942, to James Joseph and Frances Carroll Scully, Dick spent his childhood in Springfield, MA. He graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA, in 1963, then moved to Washington, D.C., to attend Georgetown University Law School, graduating in 1966.

In Washington, he met his future wife Mary Ann (Walsh). They married on September 3, 1966, and went on to welcome five children: Andrew, Shannon (Rob), Carroll, Robert (Stephanie), and Erin (Douglas).

Dick spent his entire career with the federal government. After law school he worked at the U.S. Departments of Justice and Labor before joining the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) as an Administrative Law Judge in 1981. He spent the rest of his career there, serving as Deputy Chief Administrative Law Judge of the NLRB from 2000 to 2005. He retired in 2010. Hon. Robert Giannasi, Chief Administrative Law Judge of the NLRB remembers him as, “a great friend, an outstanding judge, and a trusted advisor. He was a man of few words, but impeccable integrity and judgment.”

That impeccable integrity and judgment was on display in 2004 when he volunteered his time to travel to New York and preside over some of the hearings of those applying for relief from the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund.

Dick was an avid and talented golfer but also a humble one. He would often report a round of golf was, “good,” or “ok” with a shrug of his shoulders only for his family to later discover he had made a hole in one on the course. He was a lifelong, long-suffering, Red Sox fan, a devotion that was finally rewarded with a World Series Championship in 2004. He and Mary Ann travelled widely, particularly enjoying trips to several National Parks across the United States after their retirement.

Dick would never look for attention but could hold a table or room rapt for hours with his perfect storytelling. He read everything and knew everything. Challenge him at Jeopardy or trivia night at your own peril.

He was a meticulous caretaker of his homes. A typical Saturday could see him crafting window shutters from scratch, breezing through the most challenging Quote-Acrostic puzzle, refereeing or coaching a soccer game and still making it home for a glass of wine at 6 and dinner with his whole family at the table by 7.

Dick was a welcoming and generous host, opening up both his Washington and Bethany Beach homes for countless celebrations. He was an expert menu planner and never let a glass sit unfilled. His partner in these celebrations, as in life, was Mary Ann, a superior chef and caterer.

Together on Utah Ave., Mary Ann and Dick instilled in their children the value of service to others, the importance of sticking up for each other, and the art of filling a home with laughter. Perhaps most importantly, they taught them how to have a good time. Their 60-year partnership produced an almost unfathomable amount of joy.

Dick was a much-loved brother, uncle and friend but the title he was most proud of was that of Grandpa. To him, each of his ten grandchildren: Aislinn, Lily, Elizabeth, Lauren, Ben, Martin, Matt, Juliet, Gigi, and Nate were an absolute marvel. There is little doubt they would say the same of him.

Dick had a rare blood type and was a regular platelet donor to both NIH and the American Red Cross for decades. Please consider a contribution to the American Red Cross Blood Services program in his memory.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 17th, 2026, at the Parish of St. Ann, 691 Garfield Pkwy, Bethany Beach, DE, 19930. Visitation at 12:00 pm. Funeral Mass at 1:00 pm. Funeral services provided by Melson Funeral Home, Ocean View, DE.