Richard C. Paradis

Richard “Dick” C. Paradis of Waddington, NY and Bowling Green, FL passed away surrounded by the loves of his life on July 12, 2022. He was born July 20, 1949, to Shirley (Goldthorpe) and Bernard Paradis in Ogdensburg, NY. He met his best friend and love of his life at age 11 while they were in 5th grade, and they married on June 20, 1970.

He is survived by his wife Patricia “Patsy” (Pingrey) of 52 years , three daughters: Jessalynn “Jessie” (James) Morrison, Boca Raton, FL; Rebecca “Becca” (John) Downey, Ogdensburg, NY; Katherine “Kay-C” (Ryan) Hayes, Waddington, NY. Grandchildren; Lily and Kate Morrison, Emily and Ava Downey, Grant and Dean Hayes. He is also survived by his brother David (Marilyn) Paradis of Gabriels, NY, along with his nieces Leanne and Deborah.

He graduated from Ogdensburg Free Academy in 1967,and then attended SUNY Oswego briefly before entering employment at the St. Lawrence State Hospital in 1969. He graduated from the School of Nursing there in 1973.

He served Active Duty in the US Navy Nurse Corps from 1974-1976 and was stationed at the US Navy Hospital in Key West, FL. After returning to SLPC he completed his Bachelors Degree in Community and Human Services through Empire State College and went on to earn a Masters in Education at SUNY Potsdam. Richard retired from the SLPC as Director of Staff Development and Training, after having been employed there for over 35 years.

His Navy Reserve switched to Army Reserve in the 310th Field Hospital in Malone, NY. During this time he graduated from Command and General Staff School. He held additional duties as Range Safety Officer, Field Sanitation Officer, Nuclear Biological and Chemical Officer, and wrote the Nursing Standard Operating Procedure for which he received the Army Commendation medal. He retired after 22 years with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In Retirement, Pat and Dick spent 12 years RVing in Key West and other favorite Florida spots. They finally settled in a place of their own in Bowling Green, FL at Pioneer Creek in 2018. One very special highlight in retirement was six trips to Gulfport, MS to help with clean up and reconstruction after Hurricane Katrina.

Richard was a veteran craft dabbler. Over the years he enjoyed building and fixing things. He loved wood burning, intarsia, stained glass, lath art, and fashioning silver jewelry from tableware. His special loves were music and the St. Lawrence River. He sang in choirs most of his life. His keyboard was his biggest joy. He composed and played his own music. You could always find him sitting at his keyboard or busy in his shop in any given spare moment.

He will be beyond missed by his family and friends. A celebration of life will be held on July 29, 2022 from 1-3 at the Pavilion located at the end of Main Street in Waddington. A small service will start at 2pm. Donations in Dick’s memory can be made to Story Teller Express Inc. (storytellersexpressinc.com) (dog rescue) and or Wounded Warriors (woundedwarriorsproject.org). Condolences and fond memories can also be shared online at www.foxandmurrayfuneralhome.com.