David Edward Rickard, 58, of Hartwick, ended his life’s journey at home on Saturday evening, Oct. 29, 2011, surrounded by his loving family.
Dave was born to Mary Theresa Ferris and Olin B. Rickard on June 12, 1953. He grew up in Little Falls where he loved to trap and hunt and roam the hills with his dog at his side. His Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) heritage was central to his identity and he participated inthe ceremonies and festivals of the people. For many years he was a member of the Woodland Confederacy engaging in historical reenactments of the French and Indian War.
Dave earned a Masters in Divinity from Washington Theological Coalition and an MSW degree from SUNY Albany. He was in religious life, first as a Benedictine in a secluded priory in Vermont and later, after feeling a call to more direct service, he joined the Franciscan Order and worked in the Bronx and Boston.
In 1980, he married Mary Bergen and they made their home in Hartwick with their sons, Mark and Andrew.
He indulged his passion for history through his many years of work at the New York State Historical Association in numerous roles and personas, among them printer, pharmacist,militia leader, pracktical phrenologist and patent medicine salesman. During his tenure in the Native American Program, he was responsible for the construction of an 18th century bark longhouse on the shore of Lake Otsego and the procurement of an 18th century Seneca log cabin. He also worked in the psychiatry department at Bassett Hospital.
Active in scouting, Dave achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and served as assistant scout leader for Troop 1254.
Dave is survived by his wife, Mary Bergen, their son, Andrew Rickard and his fiancée, Elizabeth Fury, all of Hartwick; his sister, Ann Rickard of Little Falls; and his wife’s family, whom he embraced as his own, mother and father-inlaw, Anne and Charles Bergen, Patricia and Ray Williams, James Bergen and Vikki Jones, Charles and Jerolyn Bergen, Michael Bergen, William and Allison Bergen, Richard and Marcia Bergen, Matthew Bergen, Timothy and Heather Bergen, Thomas Bergen and Joseph and Betsy Bergen. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews; his special Aunt Betty; and cousin, Barbara; and a large and loving circle of “framily.”
Dave and Mary’s beloved son, Mark Rickard, who passed in July 2007; and Dave’s parents, predeceased him.
A celebration of Dave’s life was offered at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011, at the Upper Susquehanna Cultural Center, North Main Street, Milford, with Quaker Minister Jim Atwell, officiating.
In appreciation of the sensitive care from the devoted staff of Hospice, Dave’s family requests that expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial gifts be made to Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820.
Arrangements were under the guidance of Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, Cooperstown.
Obituaries
David Edward Rickard
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Roxy Carnes
COOPERSTOWN Roxana P. Carnes, a longtime resident of Cooperstown, passed away Tuesday evening, May 1, 2012, at Valley Health Services in Herkimer. She was 91.
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Janet D. Bailey
COOPERSTOWN Janet D. Bailey, a lifelong resident of Cooperstown, died Sunday morning, May 6, 2012, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. She was 86. Born May 15, 1925, in Cooperstown, she was a daughter of Harold Lewis Davidson and Grace née Putnam Davidson. Raised in Cooperstown, she graduated from Cooperstown High School with the Class of 1942. She then went to work for the war effort doing sewing in Oneonta.
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Duane C. Hotaling
A graveside Service of Committal for Duane C. Hotaling, 66, a man devoted to his family and the community of Hartwick, who died Jan. 9, 2012, will be offered at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 28, 2012, in Hartwick Cemetery, with the Rev. John C. Young officiating.
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Grant T. Campbell
COLONIE — Grant T. Campbell died Sunday afternoon, April 8, 2012. Born in the Thanksgiving Hospital in Cooperstown he was the son of Ambrose W. and Maude V. (McManus) Campbell. He was predeceased by his parents; sister, Beverly I. Felske; and brother, Leland A. Campbell.
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David M. Hribar
COOPERSTOWN — David Matthew Hribar, a native of the Cooperstown and Fly Creek areas, passed away following a long illness, early Friday morning, April 6, 2012, at his home in Fork Shop. He was 81.
Continued ... - Thursday, February 23, 2012
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Anthony G. Martucci
COOPERSTOWN _ Anthony George Martucci, a kind, loving and gentle family man, died early Saturday morning, Feb. 18, 2012, at hishome in the Town of Middlefield. The loving husband of Josephine Martucci, he was 85.
Continued ... - Thursday, February 16, 2012
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Frances ‘Panny’ Gorham Hill
LAKELAND, Fla. _ Mrs. Frances “Panny” Gorham Hill, 103, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012, at her home due to natural causes. She was born June 25, 1908, in Cooperstown, to James Jr. and Lulu (Tarpening) Byard.
Continued ... - Friday, February 10, 2012
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Jane H. Patrick
COOPERSTOWN _ Mrs. Jane H. Patrick, of Cooperstown, passed away peacefully Feb. 2, 2012, in her home in the Clara Welch Thanksgiving Home from complications related to pneumonia. Prior to living there, she had lived for over 30 years on Chestnut Street in Cooperstown.
Continued ... - Monday, January 30, 2012
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William Thomas Every
COOPERSTOWN _ William Thomas Every, formerly of Goodyear Lake, died Sunday morning, Jan. 15, 2012, at Otsego Manor. He was 64.
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Nancy Carol Folts Birdsall
RICHFIELD SPRINGS _ Nancy Carol Folts Birdsall, 70, went to be with the Lord on Saturday morning, Jan. 21, 2012. After a short illness, she passed away peacefully at home with her loving family by her side. She was born on Sept. 24, 1941, in Montgomery, Ala., daughter of the late Lt. Col. John L. and Karolyn Folts.
Continued ... - Thursday, January 19, 2012
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Gayle M. Austin
PITTSFIELD _ Gayle M. Austin, 61, died early Saturday morning, Jan. 14, 2012, in her home at the Hoboken Horticultural Preserve, Pittsfield. The seventh of nine children, she was born Aug. 9, 1950, to Gordon J. and Mary Rupar Powell on the Old Estate Dairy farm in Holton, Mich.
Continued ... - Thursday, January 12, 2012
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Duane C. Hotaling
HARTWICK _ Duane C. Hotaling, a man devoted to his family and well-known in the arena of tractor pulling, died Monday evening, Jan. 9, 2012, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. He was 66. Born Dec. 6, 1945, in Cooperstown, he was the son of the late Howard and Margaret (Sullivan) Hotaling. After graduating from Cherry Valley Central School, Duane attended the Milwaukee Institute of Technology. After receiving his degree he stayed in the Milwaukee area and worked for Allis-Chalmers.
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Eileen Marie Sinnott
FLY CREEK _ Eileen Marie Sinnott, passed away after a battle with cancer Jan. 10, 2012, at Otsego Manor, where she received wonderful care. She was 57. She was born Jan. 5, 1955, and raised in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, to loving parents Victor and Anne (Collopy) Sinnott. She attendedHoly Cross Elementary School (grades one-eight), Erasmus Hall High School and Kingsborough Community College.
Continued ... - Thursday, January 5, 2012
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Dorothy M. Gardner
COOPERSTOWN _ On 29 Dec. 2011, Dorothy Marie Gardner, peacefully joined her husband, Ralph D. Gardner, in heaven.
Continued ... - Thursday, December 29, 2011
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Maureen Micek
COOPERSTOWN _ On Dec. 18, 2011, Dr. Maureen Micek, a former pediatrician with Bassett Healthcare Network, Oneonta, died unexpectedly. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Timothy R. Siegel; children, Jacob and Sarah Siegel; and her mother, Maureen W. Micek.
Continued ... - Monday, December 19, 2011
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David Welsh Jr.
BOWERSTOWN _ David Welsh Jr., a beloved husband who enjoyed his native Cooperstown and the outdoors, died after a long illness early Friday morning, Dec. 9, 2011, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. He was 86.
Continued ... - Thursday, December 1, 2011
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Jean Lois La Chaunce
HARTWICK _ Jean Lois La Chaunce, a former resident of New Jersey, died unexpectedly Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011, at her home in Hartwick. She was 81. Born March 5, 1930, in the city of Hackensack, N.J., she was a daughter of Ellis and Edna (Ockenholt) Covert. Raised in Mahwah, N.J., she was employed for many years as an assembler and last worked for Ultimate Automotive Industries in Mahwah.
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Susan M. Knodel
FLY CREEK _ Susan M. Knodel, affectionately known as Susie, died unexpectedly Sunday evening, Nov. 27, 2011, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. She was 58. Born Sept. 27, 1953, in Utica, she was a daughter of the late Edward C. and Margaret E. (Hawkins) Madore.
Continued ... - Thursday, November 17, 2011
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Ellen H. Rockwell
Ellen Louise Haiston Rockwell, age 93, died on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011, in St. Luke’s-Cornwall Hospital in Newburgh. Ellen was born on Sept. 4, 1918, in Tyrone, Pa. She grew up in Pottstown, Pa., where her father, Frank Haiston, was the superintendant of schools and her mother, Elizabeth Kriner was an elementary school teacher. Her younger sister, Mary Alice Fronheiser and older brother, Frank predeceased her.
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Tom Mottram
Tom Mottram, 64, passed away due to complications from cancer on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011.
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Roxy Carnes
