July 3, 2011

HARRISVILLE, N.Y.   —  Raymond J. Richer, 81, of Maple Street, died Friday afternoon at Samaritan Keep Home, Watertown, after a brief illness.

Born Dec. 29, 1929, in Ogdensburg, the son of Joseph and Doris Hilborne Richer, he graduated from Ogdensburg Free Academy. 

He married Lois Maloney June 16, 1951 in Ogdensburg. Lois died Aug. 30, 2004. 

Mr. Richer was employed by A&P Grocery stores while in high school and continued for 23 years. While employed with them he managed stores in Ogdensburg, Harrisville and Canton. In 1969, he purchased the Pleasant View Hotel which later became the Trackside Tavern and retired in 1999.

He was a member of the Gouverneur Country Club, the Brown Creek  Hunting Club, and  the Spotted Deer Hunting Club. He was also a member of the Carthage BPOE Lodge 1762 and the Lewis County Bar and Restaurant Association. 

He enjoyed hunting, golf, reading, crossword  puzzles, playing cards and travelling.

Surviving are three children and their spouses, Gregory and Barbara, Harrisville, Renee and Douglas Grigg, Watertown, and Paul and Melissa, Holly Springs, N.C.; a brother and sister, Douglas, Manlius and Janet Palmer, Rensselaer Falls; nine granddaughters and two great-grandchildren.

Three brothers, Robert, Richard and Wayne, died before him.

Calling hours will be held 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 5, at Adirondack Funeral Home, Harrisville. His funeral will begin with a prayer service at 9:45 a.m. Wednesday  July 6, at the funeral home followed by a funeral Mass  at 10:30 a.m. at St Francis Solanus Catholic Church with Father Robert Decker officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. 

Memorial donations may be made to the Harrisville Fire Dept or the Harrisville Free Library. 

Online condolences may be made at www.adirondackfh.com.

Information provided by Adirondack Funeral Home and Newzjunky, Watertown, N.Y.