Birth date: May 5, 1945 Death date: Feb 12, 2016
Richard D. Vine, age 70, passed away on Friday, February 12, 2016 at his winter home in Tavares, FL. He was also a resident of Adams Center, NY. Mr. Vine was born May 5, 1945, the son of Grant and Dora LaBreck Vine in Watertown, N Read Obituary
Dear Kathy, Dora, Donna and Douglas,
Carl and I send our deepest sympathy to all of you on your great loss. We wish time, work and distance didn't keep us apart all of these years and we could attend Dick's service June 25th. You will be in our heart and thoughts and we pray you find comfort and peace with your memories. Love, Patricia (Cook) Vieira
My brother sent me a note earlier to tell me that Dick had passed away. To his family and friends, I am sorry for your loss. At this point I can only hope that through your memories you can gain strength to carry on as I’m sure he would have you do. My brother and I were very close to Dick as young kids. He was one of our very best childhood friends.
A little background, if you will. My brother and I grew up with Dick (Dickie as we called him back then) in Huntingville, just outside Watertown. It seems that as kids we did so much together – football, baseball, hunting, fishing, wrestling, apple fights in an old abandoned orchard (yeah, sounds awful, but it was so much fun – bruises, welts and all), building rafts at the local creek, asking my Mom to cook frogs legs and all sorts of other pre-adolescent shenanigans. Often times in the summer Dick would cut through the back lot separating our houses and off the three of us would go for a day of adventure. Often our days were spent exploring the local creek and hillsides. It was such a great time of discovery and fun during an era when our parents did not have to worry as to our whereabouts as it seems so many parents must to do today. We spent so much time together that it seemed as though the three of us were in some measure brothers. In fact, I think my Mom at one time or another came close to declaring Dick to be her 3rd son. I know she always enjoyed his coming by and felt he was a good kid for us to hang out with.
While we did our best to disguise our mischief, I recall one time when temptation got the better of us and we went just a little too far. The Black River ran behind Dick’s house, and one day it seems a number of ducks decided to hang out in the general vicinity. A raft of ducks, relatively close to shore; well, this was just too good an opportunity young accomplished hunters like us (or so we thought) to pass up. So, in the late afternoon we decided it would be a good idea to take a crack at a little pre-season duck hunting. After all, what were the chances anyone would find out. Well, it was great fun until the local game warden, who, as we were to later discover, lived across the bay and apparently close enough to hear our gun shots. He did not come after us, but instead called our Dad. (Dad worked the second shift at the Air Brake.) Apparently he and Dad knew each other well and I guess from his perspective Dad could impose a punishment greater than any fine for our indiscretion. As I recall it, his comment was “Willard, your boys are up to no good.” My brother and I were confronted the following morning with a stern expression and hard questioning. What I found interesting about this whole event is the fact that Dad did not seem to want to hold Dick accountable. I know he liked Dick a lot, so perhaps he felt his message of disappointment would be communicated to Dick through us.
As often happens when we grow up we, for one reason or another, tend to go in separate directions exploring and pursuing life into adulthood. In our case, that’s what happened with us.
While it had been many, many years since I had seen him, Dick had the grace and courtesy to attend the calling hours when our Mom passed away. As soon as he walked into the room, I recalled immediately who he was. It was a moment deserving of the big hug he received. The link to our past was immediate. And, his presence at the calling hours helped to bring back many happy memories to an otherwise sad occasion.
In my experience Dick was never the type of person who sought to be the center of attention. He was a hard worker (He was our paperboy for several years and always delivered the paper on time whether it was a hot and humid summer day or a blistering snowstorm.), and had a quiet and unassuming air. He was the best childhood friend one could have ever hoped for. Rest in peace old friend. You will not be forgotten....Bob Reese, Victoria, British Columbia
Dear Kathy,
Very sorry to hear of Richard's passing. As you know he was like a third sibling when I was growing up in Huntingville. We spent a lot of time together playing baseball, football, hunting, & fishing. Everyone in our family loved him. May he Rest In Peace.
Deepest Condolences,
Dave Reese
Dear Kathy - We are so sorry to hear of Dick's passing. Knowing him was a pleasure and have fond memories from Adams Center. He may be gone, but forever lives in our hearts. Hugs to you and your family.
Gina and Alan Cook.
To Kathy, Judy, Jeanette, and Shirley:
My sincere sympathy is sent to you all. I read about Dick's passing in the Watertown Daily Times today. So very sorry for your loss. I remember Dick from my younger days in Huntingtonville. He was a kind man and very friendly to the neighbors and to all of us (8) Burdick Kids and to my parents, Vince and Connie. Please let me know when the services up north will be. Take care, Vivian
