NORWICH – Richard E. LaFave, Sr., “Dick,” 74, of Norwich, passed away Mon. morning, Oct. 22, 2007 at his home.
Dick was born in Binghamton in 1933, the son of Robert and Ruth (Barnes) LaFave, and grew up in that area in the home of his mother, Ruth, and her then husband. Jay Brant. He attended North High School prior to joining the United States Air Force, and served his country in Korea from November of 1951 through his honorable discharge in January of 1956. During his years in the Air Force, Dick served as a mechanic, a career which he expanded upon when he returned to the Binghamton area. Over the years, he worked for various employers, and did the same during the years he lived in Oneida. Dick had also dabbled in carpentry, and was known to be a good woodworker. A man who had enjoyed roller skating and had built and raced stock cars in his younger years, he also liked to be outdoors, especially if he could go boating or fishing. He was an avid fan of NASCAR racing, liked to party, and generally lived life to the fullest. Dick was a member of both the Norwich American Legion Post #189 and VFW Post 2782, having moved to Norwich in the past 5-6 years.
Dick is survived by his long-time companion, Lettie Pettit of Norwich; his children: Cheryl Squires of Sherburne, Richard LaFave II of Richmond, Va., Rhonda Chamberlain and husband Leslie of Rome, and Mary Miles and significant other Lonnie Keenly of Seneca Falls; by his sisters, Jan Salvemini of Arizona and Linda Osborne of North Carolina; and brothers, Robert LaFave of Binghamton and James Brant of Greene. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Jeremy and Joshua Squires of Norwich, Lynn Maysonet of Rome, Daniel, Carrie, and Marie Closson of Seneca Falls, Ryan Miles of Seneca Falls, Jill Knapp and Sara LaFave of Norwich, and Meako, Kai, and Halen LaFave of Florida; and by seven great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his sister, Phyllis Sells.
Funeral services for Dick will be held at 11 a.m. Friday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Stephen Reese, Pastor of the Columbus Community Church, will officiate. Interment will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery of Port Dickinson. Friends are invited to call at the R. J. Fahy Funeral Home on Friday from 9 to 11 a.m.
Please consider memorial contributions to Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes St., Norwich, NY 13815.