Obituary of Richard J. Alexander

Mr. Richard J. Alexander, 61 years old, of St. Hwy. 5S, died Friday at St. Mary's Hospital. He was born December 6, 1947 in Oneonta, N.Y., the son of Lewis and Charlotte Briggs Alexander and moved to the Amsterdam area 40 years ago. Mr. Alexander served his country with the U.S. Marine Corps. He was employed at Hale Creek by the NYS Dept. of Corrections until ill health forced his retirement. Mr. Alexander was a communicant of St. Margaret's of Cortona Roman Catholic Church in Rotterdam Junction and was a member of Teamsters Local #294. He was a devoted father and grandfather and was very fond of his dog Rocky and his cat Molly. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, NASCAR and loved the NY Giants. Richard married the former RoseMarie Nicklaw on April 20, 1968. Survivors in addition to his wife are his two daughters: Sheri L. Tyler of Johnstown and Melissa Kate Blair Yerdon of Rotterdam; his twin sister Angela Saddlemire of Pattersonville; four grandchildren: Lucas Richard and Zachary Ryan Tyler and twins Mason James and Alexis Rose Yerdon; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be held 10:45am Tuesday, August 25, 2009, at Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00noon at St. Margaret's of Cortona in Rotterdam Junction. Burial will take place in Woestina Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends from 9:00am until 10:45am on Tuesday at the funeral home prior to the funeral service. Richard's family would like to extend a special thank you to; Community Hospice of Amsterdam and to the many physicians who attended him, the staff at Amsterdam Family Practice and his friends and family who helped with his care. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice of Amsterdam or to St. Margaret's of Cortona Church.