Obituary of Richard H. Rushford

Richard Rushford, age 65, of Champlain, NY peacefully passed away on Saturday, September 3rd, 2016 after a long and courageous battle with ALS. He was born February 18, 1951 in Churubusco, NY to Walter and Loretta (Poupore) Rushford. Immediately after graduating from Ellenburg Central School in 1969, Richard proudly joined the Marine Corp. He was awarded two Purple Hearts, a Combat Action Ribbon, a National Defense Service Medal, a Vietnamese Service Medal with 1 Star and a Vietnamese Medal with 1960 Device. He was honorably discharged in 1970. He was employed at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals for 30 years and retired as a Manufacturing Foreman. He was also active in the Local 95C Union and held the elected positions of both Steward and President. Richard enjoyed reading, coin collecting, gambling, traveling and watching westerns and wrestling. He was a loyal fan of the Toronto Blue Jays, Toronto Maple Leafs and Dallas Cowboys. He will be remembered for his quick wit, vast trivia knowledge, and unwavering love for his family. He is survived by his wife, Donna (Matott) Rushford; his children: Christopher and Marcy Rushford of Haverhill, New Hampshire; Jonathan and Liza Rushford of Zebulon, North Carolina; Mathew and Peggy Rushford of Ellenburg Center; Josh and Terrie Fleming of Morrisonville; and Chad and Nicole Dutil of West Chazy. His brothers and sisters: June Farquhar of Ontario; Robert Rushford of Churubusco; Virginia and Earl Cowan of Chateaugay; James Rushford of Churubusco and Brother-in-law Ronald Goodrow of Churubusco. His Grandchildren: Cole Rushford, Elizabeth Rushford, Cameron Rushford, Melanie Rushford, Anna Dutil, Declan Fleming, and a new grandbaby due March 2017. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Lena Matott of Champlain as well as several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his mother and father, Walter and Loretta; his sister Margaret Goodrow; brother-in-law Hilton Farquhar; sister-in-law Ruth Rushford and grandson Rowan Fleming. Calling hours will be 4-7 PM on Thursday, September 8th at the MB Clark Funeral Home in Champlain. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Friday, September 9th at St. Mary's Church in Champlain. Interment will follow in the parish Cemetery on Prospect Street, Champlain. Offerings in Richard's memory may be made to the ALS Foundation, St. Mary's Church or Hospice of the North Country. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to family and friends for their constant love and support. Special thanks to Brenda Colby-Simpson and all the Hospice nurses, especially Becky, Michelle and Katie. To light a candle and to share a thought or memory, please visit www.mbclarkfuneralhome.com.