Foxx, L. Richard

January 8, 2018 – Life was good, but I must move on to the next phase.

Born 1/22/1941, Post-Great Depression, the eldest of three to Lawrence Victor and Audrey Irene (Slater) Foxx in rural Upstate NY. Raised “old school”, pretty much free of constraints in a carefree, Protestant religious manner. Spent school years at Ovid Central, where he served as Class President in both Junior and Senior year, ultimately receiving a coveted Empire State Regents scholarship. Lettered in basketball, football, band, and chorus. He also found time to be a paperboy, worked at Kenyon Greenhouse, and at Willard State Hospital in the kitchen and on the wards. After graduating, he went off to college at Clarkson, Hobart & William Smith, and at Empire State College in Cornell. James Garbarino tutored him in Math and Social Work. Unexpectedly worked at and retired from Willard and Elmira Psychiatric Hospital, working as safety officer (Fire/Police), Social Work, Rehab Counselor, and retiring as a Family Care Coordinator who oversaw his coveted team of nurses, social work assistants, and support staff who provided homes and supervision to close to 100 private homes with over 400 residents.

In 1960 he married his sweetheart from school, Shirley Anne (Miller Cool), and the love of his life. They had two children, Richard Jay and Kim Marie (Andy Herrala) and six grandchildren; Courtney (Grant McAuslan), Michael, Alex, Thomas, John, and Danielle who passed away in infancy. They also helped raise a nephew, Nathan (Vivian), who was like a second son. Family was always first and foremost in his mind.

Shirley and Richard built their first house in Willard, NY where they raised their family. After their children went off to college they had their second home built on the shores of Cayuga Lake where they enjoyed family, grandkids and lake activities after retiring early on the close of Willard Psychiatric Center. They enjoyed summers at the cottage on the lake and winters in Florida and traveling before finally purchasing their third house in Ormond Beach, FL (becoming FL residents for obvious reasons).

In addition to family, Richard enjoyed cruising, timesharing, boating, hunting, fishing, gold, Broadway Shows, summer theatre at the Merry Go Round Playhouse, music, cooking, gardening (flowers), crosswords and Sudoku, all sports, and clam eating at Lodi and Ovid.

Richard served as Board Member of the GHS Federal Credit Union, Seneca Country OFA & Senior Center, OFC in various positions. He was the past President of the Ovid/Willard Lions Club, a lifetime member of the South Seneca Sportsman Club and the Seneca Falls Elks Lodge #992, where he was the longtime chair of the “Hoop Shoot” and “Soccer Shoot Out”

It’s been a great life if you don’t weaken, optimistic and positive thinking go a long way. The “ironies of life” and above all pay cash. See you on the other side family, friends, and others.

Survivors include all noted above brother, Peter (Danielle); sister, Sally (Ron); numerous nieces and nephews; cousins; and countless friends.

A special note to my large extended family of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins on both the Foxx and Slater sides who were such a large positive influence in both childhood and adulthood for both Shirley and I who have predeceased us.

A Memorial Service will be held this summer at a time to be announced.