Raymond A. Dicus, 78, of Hollywood, MD, died of complications from lung cancer on Monday, April 5, 2010 at St. Mary's Hospital, Leonardtown, MD. Born December 2, 1931, in Baltimore, MD, he was the son of the late Walter Leon Dicus and Estelle Keller Dicus.

Mr. Dicus married Mary Frances Martin on August 7, 1954 and the couple started their life together in Baltimore, MD. They moved back to his wife's home county of St. Mary's in 1968. He quickly developed a love and appreciation for the land and surrounding water and made St. Mary's County his beloved home. To be crabbing on the water in a little skiff was one of his favorite things to do.

His family was the center of his life. He obtained the greatest joy from his wife of 55 years, his children, and his grandchildren. Following his retirement as a journeyman electrician with IBEW Local Union 26, Mr. Dicus took up woodworking. He built furniture for his children and toys for his grandchildren. In addition to woodworking, he enjoyed music, crabbing, and computers.

Mr. Dicus was an active parishioner at St. John's Catholic Church in Hollywood. His seven children all attended school there, and he coached boys' basketball at St. John's for many years. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and a volunteer at St. Mary's Caring Soup Kitchen and Helping Hands.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, J. Walter Dicus, Leo Dicus, and Bernard Dicus, and his sister, Teresa Thompson. In addition to his wife, his survivors include his seven children, Patricia Belanger of Hollywood, MD, Michael Dicus of Edgewater, MD, Barbara Brown (Frank) of Great Mills, MD, Joanne Dicus (Tony Tavera) of Woodbine, MD, Steven Dicus (Kelly) of Highland, CA, Jimmy Dicus (Teri) of Hollywood, MD and Joseph Dicus of Oklahoma City, OK, 12 grandchildren, and 3 step-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends for Raymond's Life Celebraton on Thursday, April 8, 2010 from 4:30 p.m.until 8:00 p.m. at the Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Prayers will be recited at 7:00 p.m.. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John's Catholic Church in Hollywood, MD on Friday, April 9, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Michael Dicus, Steven Dicus, Jimmy Dicus, Joseph Dicus, Matthew Brown, Seth Tavera, Kyle Belanger and Michael Short.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. John's Building Fund, 43927 St. John's Road, Hollywood, MD 20636.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.