Richard Sykes

  May 1, 1951 - March 29, 2017

Richard B. Sykes, 65, of Sayre, Pa., passed away Wednesday afternoon, March 29, 2017 at the Darway Healthcare Center in Forksville, Pa.  Richard was born in Waterloo, N.Y., on May 1, 1951, the son of Raymond D. Sykes and Helen E. Sullivan Sykes. As a youth, Richard moved with his family from Geneva, N.Y., to Rome, N.Y., where he graduated from Rome Free Academy in 1970. He continued his education at Morrisville College graduating in 1972 and the Rochester Institute of Technology graduating in 1974. Richard served as manager of Jim Paluzzi’s store in Sayre for 22 years and was subsequently employed as a manager and insurance agent for the Combined Insurance Company of New York. Richard was a member of the Church of the Epiphany in Sayre and a former member of St. John’s Catholic Church in South Waverly. He was a Past President of the Valley Jaycees and Past Exalted Ruler of Benevolent Order of Elks Lodge No. 1148. Sayre.  Richard loved skiing and in earlier years was privileged to ski the highest mountain in Austria, Mt. Grossglockner. He enjoyed volunteering at the Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, home electronics, working around his home and property and maintaining his swimming pool. His family was paramount in his life, and he will be remembered as a loving husband and father. Surviving are his wife of 33 years, Teresa Catarisano Sykes, whom he married on July 10. 1983 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in South Waverly, Pa., daughter, Alexis Sykes of Sayre and fiance Joseph Passarelli of Binghamton, N.Y.,  sister and brother-in-law, Elaine and Albert Krenitsky of Victor, N.Y., mother-in-law, Lina Catarisano of Waverly, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Francesco “Frank” and Linda Catarisano of Queens, N.Y., nieces, Kristen Rusho and husband Doug of Fairport, N.Y., Ariana Catarisano of Manhattan, N.Y., nephew, Francesco Catarisano II of Queens, N.Y., and great nieces, Hannah and Brynn Rusho. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his father-in-law, Dominic Catarisano. The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Alteri-Bowen Funeral Home, 314 Desmond St., Sayre. The Sayre Elks Lodge will hold a service of remembrance Sunday afternoon at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, April 3, 2017 at 10 a.m. at the Church of the Epiphany, South Elmer Ave., Sayre, with the Rev. Vincent Langan as celebrant. Burial will follow in St. James Cemetery, Waverly, N.Y. The family suggests that contributions may be directed to a charity or organization of one’s choice in Richard B. Sykes memory.  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

It is hard to believe that Dick Sykes is gone.  We were close friends in high school.  He loved to drink beer.  He used to always say "Drink the brew and sprechen the Jew," which made no sense and was not a put-down of Jewish people.  It was just his way of trying to be funny.  He loved Mr. Hodinger, the English teacher, who he referred to as "Hoddy."  I think we went with his English class to see "Hamlet" at Colgate, and pretended we were old enough to drink in the pub there.  He was going out with Ellen Morris, as I recall, and he told me once that her twin sister went out with Dick one night to play a joke on him and he didn't realize it was her sister.  He was always full of energy and it was fun being around him.  He, Les Mason and I tripled dated to the Senior Prom.  I wish I had contacted him over the last 10 years, before he died.  I can't believe how many of our classmates have died in the last few years.  I can't believe I turned 70 last month.  It is surreal. - Terry McMaster