Richard B. Decker

Richard B. (Dick) Decker joined his family in Heaven on July 1, 2023 in Cooperstown, NY. He was born in Morris, NY on March 10, 1941, the son of Charles W. and Inez M. (Horth) Decker. Dick graduated from Sherburne Central School in 1959. He married his childhood sweetheart, Janet K. Whaley on November 29, 1960 at the North Norwich United Methodist Church. Dick is survived by his wife, Jan and his beloved children, Richard B., Jr. and Cheryl Decker, James M. and Deb Decker, and Sandra K. and Scott Sheldon; his much loved grandchildren, Kristopher A. Decker (Ashley MCCullough and her children, Riley and Levi) and his son, Kain J. Decker and Kain’s mother, Ronni Hall, Emily M. and Vince Muniga, Bryan T. Sheldon (Ashlee VanCourt), Evan T. Sheldon, David P. Sheldon, and Brandon P. Episcopo; also surviving are special nieces and nephews, Kelley, Patrick, and Daniel Horton, David Olin, Kathie Lawrence, Robert Decker, and Daniel Decker and their families; as well as loved grandnieces and grandnephews and their families (special grandnephew, Jonathan Lawrence).

Dick served his country in the US Marine Corps from 1959-1963 and was at sea during the Cuban Missile Crisis. After his honorable discharge, he joined the City of Norwich Police Department where he served for 25 years before retiring in 1988. He then enjoyed a few years as a car salesman for Benedict Corp and Christman Motors before entering the political arena. He was elected Supervisor for the Town of North Norwich in 1994, and was Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for a recors 14 years, retiring in 2011. He was instrumental in the first meetings with Hamdi Ulukaya who was interested in buying the old Kraft Cheese Factory in the Town of Columbus, which is now the large Chobani Complex. Dick was a member of the North Norwich United Methodist Church, the Norwich American Legion Post 189, and a lifetime member of the NYS Association of Chiefs of Police, Inc.

In addition to his parents, Dick was predeceased by his sister, Delores Olin and her husband, Raymond, his brothers, Charles W. Decker, Jr. and wife Rita, George E. Decker and wife Josephine, Kenneth W. Decker (Margaret Manwarren); his nieces, Kathleen Armitage, Susan Fenton, and Andrea Armitage; and his nephew, William M. Horton, Jr.

Dick was an honest, forthright man who loved his family with his whole heart. His family wishes to thank the Hamilton Community and Bassett hospitals and staff for the excellent care he was given as well as the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home for their support. As per Dick’s wishes, there will not be a formal service, but later this year there will be a celebration of Dick’s Precious Life. If you wish to donate in his memory, please consider the Pathfinder Village, 3 Chenango Rd. Edmeston, NY 13335 in honor of his great-grandson, Kain James Decker.

“For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” John 3:16 NKJV