Stuart "Nig" J. Richards

Funeral services for Stuart Jefferson “Nig” Richards, age 94 of Ogdensburg, will be held on Thursday, August 13, 2026 beginning with visitation from 11:00am to 1:00pm at the Fox and Murray Funeral Home. The funeral service will immediately follow with Deacon Mark Lalonde officiating. He will be entombed at the Oswegatchie Mausoleum. Mr. Richards passed away on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 as a result of a tragic motor vehicle accident.

He is survived by his long time, live-in companion, travel partner, and love of thirty-five years, Joan M. (Joey) Foote; his three children, Jerome (Kathleen) Richards, Karen Richards, and Paul Richards; six grandchildren, Jerrod (Rachael) Richards, Jacob

(Jennifer) Bartholomew, Lucus (Danielle) Bartholomew, Tyler Richards (Bethany Tombolillo), Seth (Sofia) Richards, and Hillary (Brian) Mitchell; eight great-grandchildren, Aiden Cameron, Ethan Richards, Abigail Richards, Isabel Richards, Lillian Bartholomew, Max Bartholomew, Charlotte Richards, and Sadie Mitchell; along with step-great-grandchildren, Jack Todd, Kaeleigh Mitchell, and Ayden Mitchell. He is also survived by nephews Tom Trathen, Jeff Richards, and Jon Richards, and nieces Helen “Sis” Hurd and Marie

He married Janice Ruth Plumadore on November 20, 1953. She predeceased him on July 4, 1969.

He was also predeceased by his parents Eugene and Dorothy (Walker) Richards as well as by his brothers, Donald and Joseph Richards, and his sister, Helen Liberati.

Mr. Richards was raised in Heuvelton, NY and attended Heuvelton schools. He enlisted into the U.S. Army in July of 1950 and rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was a Korean War Combat Veteran, serving with the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team. He patrolled at times over the 38th parallel in North Korea and engaged in the combat mission to restore order at the Kojedo Prisoner of War Camp after General Dodd was taken hostage by prisoners and held for 72 hours. In all, he was located at several places throughout Korea during the conflict and was proud of his service as a paratrooper.

In 1953, Mr. Richards joined Carpenters Union #278 on the G.I. Bill. During his career, he worked on the St. Lawrence Seaway, the Iroquois Dam, and Nine Mile Point construction projects, as well as several school and college construction projects throughout St. Lawrence County. He also worked on the Ogdensburg International Bridge project, where he and Norman Gagnon, Sr. were the last two carpenters on the job. From 1970 through 1977, he engaged in the roofing business in and around the City of Ogdensburg.

In 1977, Mr. Richards purchased the former Howard’s Hotel on the corner of State and Lafayette Streets in Ogdensburg, running the business under his nickname as “Nig’s Tavern”. He worked the business for 20 years, making many improvements to the business premises. In 1997, he sold the business to Rob Morrow and started a retirement that lasted until his passing.

His passions were NY Yankees baseball, Syracuse University basketball, any type of politics, traveling, and being a staunch democrat. His involvement in politics included playing major roles in his son’s three campaigns for District Attorney and County Court Judge. In later years, he loved playing in the stock market.

Mr. Richards especially enjoyed his daily coffee gatherings with friends at Phillip’s Diner, where conversation, laughter, and camaraderie were as important as the coffee itself. Those mornings became treasured traditions and reflected what mattered most to him - friendship, community, and staying connected with the people he cared about.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Ogdensburg Boy’s and Girl’s Club or to Honor Flight Syracuse, Inc. - Mission 25 Flight. Condolences and fond memories may also be shared online at www.foxandmurrayfuneralhome.com.