Richard S. Kolka

Richie Kolka age 97, of Montgomery, NY and longtime resident of New City, NY passed away peacefully on September 26, 2025. He was born August 18, 1928 in Nauraushaun, New York, the son of Stephen and Helen Kolka.

Richie was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 35 years, Margaret Kolka. He was also preceded in death by his nine siblings, Joseph and John Kolka and seven sisters Mary Ruthledge, Katherine Flower, Helen Peckman, Ann Scarpulla, Jane Prodraski, Betty Kellog and Patricia Garrison. Richie is survived by two daughters, Nancy Mayo and her husband Kevin, Linda Bitts and her husband Pete and three sons, Ricky Kolka, Kevin Kolka and his wife Diane and Stephen Kolka and his wife Jeanne. He leaves behind nine grandchildren Brian Mayo, Kevin Mayo Jr., Danielle Bitts, Richie Kolka, Jackie Kolka, Stephen Kolka Jr., Shane Kolka, Lucas Kolka and Jillian Kolka. He also has five great grandchildren.

Richie was raised on a dairy farm in Nauraushaun, New York. In 1938 a fire destroyed their farm so the family moved to a new farm in New City, NY. Richie and his two brothers Joe and John worked with their father Stephen at their Strawtown Dairy Farm which milked Holstein cows with a creamery unit to pasteurize, homogenize, bottle and deliver their milk products to homes, schools and stores. Richie and his two brothers ran Strawtown Dairy Farm until 1978.

Richie became interested in racing early in his life and started racing modified stockcars on asphalt and dirt tracks in the early 1950’s. The first years of racing were at Peekskill Speedway in car number K2. Richie started building his own racecars with the help of friends in particular Jimmy Scaccio Sr., Ralph Mariano and many others. He then started racing at Orange County Speedway in Middletown, NY which would become his home track through most of the 1950’s and 1960’s. He also raced at other Northeast tracks including Nazareth and Langhorne Speedways. He finished his racing career in early 1970’s on asphalt tracks and stayed actively engaged in racing well after his driving career.

Family Calling Hours will be at Higgins Funeral Home, 321 South Main Street, New City, NY on Wednesday, October 1, from 11AM to 12PM. Burial will follow at St. Anthony cemetery, 36 West Nyack Rd, Nanuet, NY.