Russell L Richards

Windham- Russell Lee Richards of Windham passed away on Monday, November 3, 2014 at the age of 78. He was born in the Bronx on April 11, 1936 to Russell Hayes and Mary (Costello) Richards. Russell's passion for horses lead him to meet his wife Elaine (Otto) at Dixie Dew Academy in Forest Hills, Queens. They were married on November 22, 1957, 57 years ago this month. Over his lifetime Russell's versified careers included Bull Riding at Madison Square Garden, casting extra in the movies "Stranger on Horseback" and "Drumbeat" , cowboy, sailboat builder, furrier, farmhand at Farber Farm in Jewett and custodian at Windham Ashland Jewett School. Russell's many interests were creating ironworks on his forge, riding his Harley, rebuilding a motorcycle, conversations with his nephew Hugh Courtney, Ham Radio Operations (WA2OGJ), RVing, antiquing, bird watching, stargazing, creating rock gardens, NASCAR, Native American History and Art, building rabbit hutches and taking care of "the" rabbits. In addition to his loving wife Elaine, he is survived by his daughter and her husband, Maryann and Bill Beare of Catskill, son and his wife, Russell Lee and Cecelia Richards of Seattle, WA., four grandchildren Aine, Declan, Russell and Eilish all of Washington state, son in law Bill Nuemeister of Cario, two step-grandsons Jeff Beare of Catskill and Steven (Olivia) Beare of Littleton, CO, a sister Margaret Fehringer of Nesconset, Helen Boyle of Lakeland, FL and Marylou Courtney of New Hyde Park, over 20 nieces and nephews and his cat Dixie Dew a.k.a. Winky. He was predeceased by his daughter Barbara Jean Richards Nuemeister in 1990; his brother in laws William Fehringer, Joe Boyle and Hugh Courtney. Calling hours will be held on Decker Funeral Home, Windham, NY on Wednesday, November 5, 2014 from 5-8PM. A funeral will be conducted on Thursday at the funeral home at 11AM. Interment will follow at Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Ashland, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to the family to help with funeral cost. Online condolences may be made at www.deckerfuneralhome.com