Richard Pruitt
September 9, 1925—February 13, 2022
New Windsor, NY
Richard Pruitt was born in Cleveland Ohio on September 9, 1925, to Frank Pruitt and Evelyn Fenney Pruitt. He was one of six children: Virginia, Frank Jr., Gwendolyn, James, and George. He served his country during World War II as a Motor Machinist in the United States Navy, from which he received an honorable discharge. After leaving the Navy, Richard continued his education, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from St. John’s University in NYC.
He went on to become a highly regarded teacher within the NYC public school system. In a working career that spanned three decades, Richard was often assigned the most challenging students due to his uncanny ability to reach and teach children of all backgrounds and ability levels. He often helped children with learning disabilities find ways to overcome them to reach their full God-given potential.
Richard used Industrial Arts, or “Shop” as it was called, to teach life skills and practical skills to multiple generations of students. He taught every Shop class you could imagine, metal, electrical, woodworking and ceramics, his favorite. Upon retiring, he purchased a kiln, a potter’s wheel and continued his craft, making and teaching young people in his church and local community how to make brooches, pins, all manner of figurines and special occasion plates, of which he made many for family, friends and loved ones.
Richard was a true gentleman, Good Samaritan, and ”Renaissance Man”, always ready to help friends, family and neighbors, a man who stopped countless times to help those stranded on the side of the road. He was also a master carpenter, plumber, electrician, home builder and auto mechanic, loving nothing more than to teach others the skills he so effortlessly employed. In retirement in Virginia, he volunteered with Meals on Wheels for over a decade, and with the Coast Guard Auxiliary, where he continued his love of the sea. Richard spent his retirement years enjoying travel with his wife, Thomasine. Together they took over 30 cruises and traveled to destinations all over the world.
As a young man, Richard was introduced to, and acquired a love for skiing. Along with several of his buddies, Richard purchased land in Vermont and, with their own hands, with him as their general contractor, built a six-bedroom ski lodge for their families to enjoy. He spent many seasons taking his family on skiing trips to Vermont and all over the region. He went on to ski all over the US, Canada, and Europe and continued to enjoy the sport into his Eighties.
Richard married Delores Bennett in 1946 and from that union produced three children: Gordon (Zeke), Deborah, and Brenda. Richard married his current wife, Thomasine Coombs Pruitt on May 24, 1972, becoming stepfather to two sons, Herbert Alonzo and Kristopher, both of whom he raised as his own.
Richard became a member of the St John AME Church in Columbus Ohio, where he and Thomasine established the Senior ministry, affectionately called the “Young at Heart” ministry. They organized fun filled excursions for the seniors, including a cruise and many theater trips. He loved to have fun!
Richard departed this life peacefully on Sunday, February 13, 2022, at the home of Alonzo and Regine Coombs in New Windsor, NY, where he spent his final days. He is survived by his wife Thomasine, sister Gwendolyn, daughter Deborah Creary, stepsons Alonzo and Kristopher Coombs, grandchildren Belvie Russ, Nathaniel Russ, Kristopher Coombs Jr, and Nicholas Coombs, and many nieces and nephews.
Richard Pruitt was a kind, caring, wonderful man who will be missed, but never forgotten by those who loved him and by those whose lives he touched, taught, and blessed.
His light will continue to shine through those who knew him best.
Roger D. Reynolds, Sr.
June 21, 1941—March 19, 2022
New Windsor, NY
Roger passed peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on Saturday, March 19th after a courageous battle with Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma.
Roger was a member of the Fort Montgomery Fire Department for 23 years. He retired in 2005 from US Gypsum where he was an Industrial Mechanic.
Roger was predeceased by his wife of 42 years, Eileen Young Reynolds; his brothers Albert and Clifford; and sister Susan.
Roger is survived by his “forever fiancée”, Patricia Reynolds; his son Roger Reynolds, Jr. and wife Sandy of Highland Falls, NY; his daughter Kathy J. McCue and husband Richard of Fort Montgomery, NY. Roger is also survived by Patricia’s children, Brenda Moore and husband Corey of Goshen, NY; Shannon Reynolds and wife Amy of Anchorage, AK, who lovingly called him Dunc. Those close to Patty and Roger understand their special love story and how the name “Dunc” was created. Roger was lovingly known as “Pepa” to Crystal; “Papa” to Matthew; “Grandpa” to Heather and Ryan; “Grandpa Dunc” to Korianne, Grant, and Jaeden. Roger is also survived by his brother Mark of Fort Montgomery, NY; sisters Lorraine Sullivan of Washingtonville, NY and Janet Baker of Brunswick, GA. Roger loved his canine companion Mickey beyond words.
Visitation was from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at William F. Hogan Funeral Home 135 Main St., Highland Falls, NY 10928. A Graveside Service took place at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 24, 2022, at Eagle Valley Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, request memorial donations be sent to either Hospice of Orange & Sullivan, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550 OR Hudson Valley SPCA, 940 Little Britain Road, New Windsor, NY 12553.
Arrangements by William F. Hogan Funeral Home, (845) 446-2868 www.wfhoganfuneralhome.com
David B. Ricci, Sr.
August 23, 1957—March 8, 2022
Formerly Cornwall, NY
David B. Ricci, Sr. passed away peacefully on March 8, 2022 at his home in San Diego, CA surrounded by his family. David was born in Cornwall, NY and the son of the late Joseph Ricci and late Mary Fortino Ricci. David was married for forty-one years to Pamela Scott Ricci. David was 64 years young.
On Halloween in 1981 David and his pregnant wife began their journey to their new life from Cornwall, NY to San Diego, CA. David studied to become a Journeyman Electrician and for thirty years was a very proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 569.
David volunteered as a Little League coach and with the Boy Scout Troop 1212 where he proudly saw his son, David, attain Eagle Scout. He enjoyed attending dance recitals, lunches and ice cream outings with his daughter, Michelle. David loved riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. He joined the Sweetwater (Coronado Beach) HOG and volunteered with many rides. David and Pamela had many cross-country adventures on their Harleys. A few pet projects were supporting the San Diego Humane Society, Hudson Valley SPCA and San Diego Ronald McDonald House.
David is survived by his wife, Pamela Scott Ricci, their two children, Michelle Ricci (Trevor McKenzie), David Ricci, Jr. (Sierra) both of San Diego, CA; brothers and sisters Steven Ricci (Pam) Temecula, CA, Gary Ricci (Theresa) Cornwall, NY, Joseph Ricci (Lisa) Wallkill NY, Anita Sharp (Jason Annan) Cornwall, NY, Marianne Daniello Cornwall NY, Michael Ricci Cornwall NY and Christine Ricci Walden, NY. David is also survived by his Aunt Dolly Fortino Vanzetta Highland Falls, NY, many cousins, nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews; his pups Ebony and Midas. David was also proud to be the Godfather to Nicolette Scott (niece). David is pre-deceased by his parents.
A Catholic funeral mass was held in San Diego, CA with interment at El Camino Cemetery and gathering with family and friends in Cornwall, NY. Please honor David’s memory with donations to the Hudson Valley SPCA (HVSPCA) at P. O. Box 356, Vails Gate, NY 12584 or the San Diego Humane Society at 5500 Gaines St., San Diego, CA 92110.