Richard James Battista, 83 of Canton Georgia passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 21, 2023. He was predeceased by his parents Rita and Sylvan Battista of Endicott NY and his wife Jean Battista and the mother of his children Geraldine Close Battista.
He is survived by his brother Tom Battista of Endicott NY and sister Judy Romeo of North Carolina, his wife Patsy, and his children Allison Robenstein, Kelly Libolt, Susan Schaeffer. He is also survived by stepdaughter Sherry Mitchell, stepdaughter Wendy Greenlaw, and stepson Robbie Greenlaw. He was the grandfather to Ashley Libolt, Brynn Robenstein, Ryan Libolt, Sydney Robenstein, Jack Schaeffer and Sam Schaeffer.
Richard attended Union Endicott High School and Temple University, graduating in 1956 (one year early) and 1962 respectively. He worked for I.B.M. for 27 years until his retirement in 1989. As a young man, Richard played football, basketball and baseball both in high school and college.
Richard enjoyed cooking for others, fishing from his boat on Hartwell Lake, and lunching in local restaurants. He was never far from his dog taking him for walks and car rides often.
After the birth of his three daughters he turned to farming and started Hill and Hollow Farm on the beloved Rymph Road in Staatsburg NY. Raising cows, horses, sheep, pigs, goats, hay and corn he juggled full time work at IBM and running a farm. The farm family included the Morris family, the Rossi family, the Jones family, the Brands family, and Halverson family. He was avid with Dutchess County 4H and was always seen in the agricultural show rings at the Dutchess County Fair moving animals around the ring and helping the contestants.
Services will be at the request of the family by Woodstock Funeral Home Woodstock Georgia with burial at Cherokee Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the United Methodist Church in Waleska Georgia.
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