Richard M. Prophet

Graveside services for Richard M. Prophet, age 97 will be held on Friday May 2, 2015 at Ogdensburg Cemetery. Mr. Prophet passed away on Wednesday (January 28, 2015) at the Riverledge Healthcare Facility.

Surviving is his daughter Janet Prophet of Andover, CT; special friends Theresa & Jack LaTulip of Ogdensburg, Daniel & Lynn Jenack of Potsdam, Diana Remington of Lisbon, along with several nieces, nephews & cousins. His wife Ada Prophet, a sister Florence Reed, and ½ sister Helen Woods predeceased him.

Born on June 12, 1917 in Plattsburgh NY, Richard lost his father Jack at age 2 and later his mother Emma Smith at age 9 leaving both he and his sister Florence orphans at a young age. The siblings were then raised by their grandmother Anna Smith until their young adulthood in Beekmantown NY. Richard moved back to Ogdensburg in 1935, and began working as an auto mechanic for Smith, Russell & Lahue. He later married Ada Ladouceur on Sept 8, 1938 at Notre Dame Rectory with Msgr. A.D. Charbonneau officiating.

In 1938, Richard transferred employment to Ray Geary Chevrolet until 1940 when he joined the Ogdensburg Fire Department. In 1944 he was drafted into the US Army serving in the European Theater during the Battle of the Bulge until January 1946 when he rejoined the Ogdensburg Fire Department. In 1951 he began his longtime employment with the U.S. Immigration Border Patrol where he was stationed in Las Cruise NM, Harlingen TX, Laredo TX, Hebbronville TX and Brownsville Port Isabel TX. He was later promoted to US Immigration Investigator in Philadelphia PA and then with The Border Patrol in Ogdensburg as the Air Detail Officer, covering airport activities in NY & NJ. He also covered prosecutions at the port of entries in Rouses Point thru the Thousand Islands Bridge. In 1973 he was again promoted to Deputy Chief Patrol Inspector in Ogdensburg, where he worked until his retirement in 1977.

He enjoyed watching NASCAR, snowmobiling, spending time boating on the river, traveling and was a devoted husband and father caring for his late wife until her death. Memorial contributions can be made to the First Congregational Church of Lisbon, County Route 28, Lisbon, NY 13658. Condolences can also be made online at www.foxandmurrayfuneralhome.com.