June 2, 2012  

GLENFIELD, N.Y.  —  Richard T. Verdin Jr., 89, formerly of West Main Street, died Saturday afternoon, June 2, at his new residence on the Glenfield Road, Glenfield, under the care of his family and Lewis County Hospice, Inc.  

Born July 22, 1922, in Watertown, a son of the late Richard T. Verdin Sr., and Marjorie May Maxon Verdin, he graduated from Watertown High School.  He proudly served with the Navy during World War II.  

He married Maxine O. Saucer on Oct. 18, 1945, in Jacksonville, Fla., at the Trinity Baptist Church with Rev. William F. Oddy officiating. 

Richard was first employed for a year at Taggart Brothers Paper Mill and for the next 12 and a half years by the New York Central Railroad then went to work for the St. Regis Paper Company in the lab as a paper tester and retired from Champion International after 34 years.

In his spare time, Richard was a creative woodworker and craftsman and “a man of the land”, who was proud of both his vegetable garden and roses.  He loved to hunt and fish and was a member of the Lyme Fish & Game Club; a member of the Watertown American Legion Post #61 and a member of the Northside Improvement League, Inc.  He and his wife, Maxine were members of the Watertown Modern Square Dance Club and were snowbirds enjoying winters in the south.

In addition to his wife, Maxine, Richard is survived by their daughter, Cheryl E. Bailey and her husband, Vernon of Glenfield; four grandchildren:  Michelyn E. Bailey; Nichelle L. and Matthew Billhardt; Beau J. and Denielle Bailey and Tanja U. Bailey; seven great-grandchildren and a great-great grandson.

He was predeceased by an infant son, Jon Richard Verdin and grandson, Cory S. Bailey.

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 6, at Watertown Assembly of God, on Haley Street, where Richard and his wife were members, with Shane Ryan officiating.  Burial will be in the Dexter Cemetery following the funeral.  Family and friends may call 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, June 5, at Sundquist Funeral Home, 7676 North State Street, Lowville.

Memorials in Richard’s name may be made to Friends of Lewis County Hospice, P.O. Box 266, Lowville, NY  13367 or to Hospice of Jefferson County, 1398 Gotham Street, Watertown, NY 13601 or to St. Jude Tribute Program, P.O. Box 1000, Dept 142, Memphis, TN  38148-0142.

Online condolences may be made to www.sundquistfh.com.





Information provided by Sundquist Funeral Home of Lowville and Newzjunky, Watertown, N.Y.