NORWICH – Richard D. “Rick” Fuller, 40, known to his friends as “Bubba,” passed away unexpectedly at his home in Norwich on Thursday, April 5, 2012.
Rick was born in Norwich in May of 1971, the son of Richard W. and Patricia Maiurano Fuller. He was a 1989 graduate of Norwich High School and furthered his education at Mansfield University in Pennsylvania, from which he graduated with a BA in Graphic Arts and Photography. Throughout all his school years, Rick was an avid athlete who played football, wrestled, was on the track team, was a great fan of hockey, enjoyed motocross and tractor pulls. He served as a member of the advisory board of the Binghamton Senators hockey team, was a big movie buff, and a diehard fan of Disney World which, with his family, he visited yearly.
Rick began his working career in WalMart as Manager of the Electronics Dept. Subsequently, he became a representative for Nintendo and, within a year, was made a district supervisor for the company. Based in Ohio, he worked there through 2003 when his daughter was born and he returned to Norwich to help his mother in the family business, Chiarino Insurance. Rick worked as a Property and Casualty Representative, the position he held at the time of his passing.
While working at WalMart, Rick met Joni Jenkins and they were married in Norwich on July 10, 1999. Joni predeceased him on July 17, 2010. Rick is survived by their children, Kaili and Bryant Fuller; his parents, Richard and Pat Fuller of Norwich; his sisters, Stacey Fuller and Angela Ray; and nieces and nephews, Shawn Branch, Jr., Sania Branch, and Arianna and Kiara Ray; grandmother, Dorothy “Dottie” Ryan; and brother-in-law, Shawn Branch. Also surviving are his mother-in-law, Debbie Field McFee Arotsky and husband Al of Bainbridge; his step-father-in-law, Bruce McFee of Bainbridge; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Amanda Winans her husband Joe, and their daughter, Jalyn Joni; Alan “AJ” McFee and fiancee April Hotchkiss, and Kelly Jenkins and wife Angela; cousin Dillan Smith; and uncles John and George Maiurano. In addition to his wife, Joni, Rick was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Shawn McFee.
Graveside services for Rick will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday from the Mt. Hope Cemetery. Chris Sanborn of Whitney Point will officiate. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions in Rick’s memory to be used for his children’s education. Checks can be made payable to Stacey Fuller on behalf of Kaili or Bryant Fuller, 30 Hickok Avenue, Norwich, NY 13815.