Glen Ridge, NJ
June 1, 2015
Richard W. ("Dick") Scaine, Ph.D. Professor, author, mentor and longtime resident of Belleville, New Jersey. Surrounded by his loving family and attendant phone calls from their (Mary's) family in Dublin, Ireland, Richard W. "Dick" Scaine was peacefully transformed into Re-Birth on June 1st at Mountain Side Hospital in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. Along with his wife and soul friend, Mary (nee Treacy), Richard is survived by his beloved sister Mary Grace Lenz; his nephews, Stephen Lenz and wife Susan; Richard Lenz and wife Yohana; nieces, Barbara Dondero and husband Denis; Pamela Meyers and husband Thomas; Kathleen Cook and husband Steven; plus many great-nieces and nephews. Among survivors in Dublin, are his sister-in-law, Margaret Callahan and husband William; his brother-in-law, William Treacy and wife Marrisa; Thomas Treacy and wife Anne, many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his beloved mother-in-law, Frances Treacy of Dublin, and brother-in-law Edward Treacy. Countless others of his beloved extended families will miss him.
Dr. Richard Scaine, taught at Seton Hall University and Prep School (Theology, Astronomy, and Environmental Science) and New York Theological Seminary, from which he received a doctorate in 1977. Subsequently, he taught in the doctoral program there for eighteen years. He earned three master degrees: Early Childhood Education; Psychology and Religion; and Theology. In 1980 he received the diploma of the Jungian Guild for Spiritual Guidance; Richard was also a certified American Montessori Teacher. Dr. Scaine and his wife, Mary, shared pastoral ministry in the Inclusive Community, Chatham, N.J. They hosted frequent discussions groups in their home. The topics discussed usually centered on "New Cosmology" and related themes. These discussions often were based on his impressive book and accompanying study guide, Discussions in the New Cosmology as well as his numerous published articles.
Royalties from his books go to charity: the Haiti Relief Fund in particular, and the Red Cross for special needs. His book on Islam: A Need for Dialogue and Awareness on all Sides is dedicated to his wife, Mary, whose love, patience, and computer expertise were essential to its completion, as well as to his beloved Godchild, Abby Lenz and all his other nieces and nephews with a renewed hope of "a return to the feminine" in this patriarchal world.
Coming from Ireland in the late 1840's, the Scaines were among the original families to settle in Belleville, N.J. Richard Patrick Scaine, his Great Grandfather, 1870-1946 donated a gift of a stained glass window to St Peter's Church in honor of his parents. The window depicts "The healing of the crippled man at the Temple." Richard Patrick Scaine (according to the gold plaque on display in the Belleville library), was one of the original trustees. Anna Scaine, his Great grandmother, was one of the original 21 members of exuberant citizens who called themselves "The Belleville Celebration Association." This group organized the town's most important events, the highlight of the year being "Belleville Day."
As you enter the grave yard behind St. Peter's Church in Bellville, there is a bench in honor of the "Unborn." The bench is a gift from Richard and Mary Scaine. The house in which Dick and Mary happily resided is the third home for Scaine family members in Belleville, New Jersey. Richard was born into that home as was his older sister, Mary Grace. In addition to being Dick's spouse and soul friend, Mary was his beloved dance partner. And the dance of the universe goes on and on! Leap away, leap away.......!
Published in The New York Times on June 7, 2015