Obituary of Richard F. Lair

Mr. Richard F. Lair, age 85, of Gloversville, died peacefully in his sleep on Monday morning, December 4, 2006 at Nathan Littauer Hospital, Gloversville, NY. He was born October 5, 1921 in Fishhouse, Town of Northampton NY, the son of the late Edward and Eva King Lair. A highly decorated veteran of the US Army during World War II, Mr. Lair served in Ardennes, Central Europe and Rhineland. He was captured in the Battle of the Bulge and held as a prisoner of war for over one year in Belgium. He was later decorated with the the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the POW Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze service stars, the World War II Victory Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, and the Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII. Mr. Lair was employed at the former Grazziano Brothers Produce in Gloversville for many years. In 1966 he became employed by the Fulton County Sheriff?s Department, where he worked first as a cook, then as a corrections officer, and retired as sergeant in 1985. Dick was an avid hunter and fisherman. Survivors include two children, David Lair and his wife Marilyn of Charleston, SC and Judy Prine and her husband Martin of DesMoines, IA; six grandchildren, Kimberly Ann Smith and her husband William Kevin of Bluffton, SC; David Todd Lair and his wife Mandi Anne of Charleston, SC; Brandon Lair of Gloversville, NY; Martin Prine and his wife Tammy, Marci Prine and Melissa Prine, all of DesMoines, IA; several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly June Bush Lair who died in 1983; also by a son, Dale Lair, who died in 1991; and by his siblings, Albert Lair, Kenneth Lair, Harold Lair, Arthur Lair, Beatrice Ormill, Helen Greene, Leona Groff and Martha Lair. The family will receive relatives and friends from 4 to 8 pm Thursday at Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home, 51 Fremont St; Gloversville, where a funeral service will be held 1:00 pm Friday with the Rev. R. W. Williams officiating. Interment with Military Honors will take place at FernDale Cemetery, Johnstown. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Assoc; 440 New Karner Rd; Albany, NY 12205.