Richard Harrica

Richard Harrica ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Lohman Funeral Home Deltona on Mar. 4, 2026.Richard David HarricaRichard D. Harrica, age 80, passed away peacefully on February 28, 2026, in Florida.A beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, and brother Richard "Dick" Harrica passed away on February 28th surrounded by those who will forever remember the light he brought to the world. He was born on 11/27/45 in Monterey CA to Howard Harrica and Elsie (Fall). He was predeceased by his sister Marlene Jones. He was a life long learner who found fulfillment in learning and teaching. He graduated from Dannemora High School in 1964 and furthered his knowledge at SUNY Canton and then at the University at Buffalo to receive a Business Education degree. He followed this with graduate classes in business at SUNY Plattsburgh.Richard married his dear wife Elaine Patnode on April 12, 1971 and was a loving and generous husband who devoted himself to being by her side at all times. His children are Bree Pisacane (Jeffrey) of Gansevoort, NY, Shann Taylor (Chad) of Morrisonville NY, and Patrick Harrica (Kate) of Plattsburgh NY. He was predeceased by his son Jonathon Harrica in 2021. His children remember his kind, easy going, and affectionate nature. He was the most steadfast, loving "Grandpa" to Elonne and Qwin Pisacane, and Reagan and Riley Harrica. His commitment to their happiness was unwavering. Richard's family was always his number one priority. In small everyday moments, in tough times, and in times of celebration, he showered them in unconditional love. From attending generations of sports games and recitals to cooking favorite meals for the family, he never failed to show up in support every time. With his encouragement came his joy. Many happy hours were spent playing cards and mahjong with his family. He cherished each of these memories and never ceased to share them with others. He was most complete with the people he loved around him. And there were so many.Richard was a pillar in the community both in Dannemora NY and Deltona FL, where he began spending the winters in 2011. Each person he met became an instant friend. During his many years as a beloved teacher at Dannemora and Saranac high schools, he inspired countless students as a role model of strength, integrity, and generosity. He gave freely of his time, leading youth hunting programs and teaching summer classes in the local prison. Beyond teaching he was active in his church community. His never ending devotion to Jesus poured out into the lives of others. Following the Lord, he opened his heart to all those he met, meeting them where they were and seeing the best in them. He invested in the lives of so many. He never overlooked someone. He took the time to seek understanding and provide his support. He was exceedingly generous and always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed assistance.Richard went through life with a desire to make the most of the big and small moments. He would drive any distance for good food and an extra twenty miles to avoid a stoplight. Napping was a favorite pastime and he took advantage of snatching a few minutes of extra sleep wherever and whenever he could. He took great pride in his weather tracking abilities and was the favorite weatherman to all who knew him. An avid photographer, he captured the wedding day of numerous couples. Not only did he document the lives of others, but also his own life. He leaves family and friends with countless photos to share in the moments of his life's journey. Many of these captured instances express his connection to the outdoors. Richard's all-encompassing, constant love of the natural world brought joy to him and to those around him who could spend hours entertained by his wondrous and riotous adventures. Countless of these stories came from the summers he spent at his precious camp at Chateaugay Lake, which he began building with his father around 1960. Not only did they build a cabin surrounded by the wilderness they loved, but he built a place where he would foster his passion for the outdoors in his children and grandchildren. His appreciation for the wonder of creation, from spectacular sunsets to backyard birds, inspires future generations of campers, hikers, boaters, hunters, and peaceful observers.His happiness in the outdoors extended beyond camp and he was a sportsman through and through. He enjoyed trapping, hunting, and fishing. To pursue these activities he remained a committed member of the Cranberry Pond Hunting Club as well as a lifetime member of the Siberian Rod and Gun Club and the NRA. A skilled marksman, he enjoyed competitive shooting, especially Cowboy Action Shooting as the "Shatagee Trapper." After moving to Florida, he discovered a passion for Pickleball. He built another family on and off the court, making dear friends who cherished his sportsmanship and humor while fearing his spin serve.Dick will be remembered by all who knew him as a loving, generous, easy-going, friendly, kind person. His light will continue to shine in the world through all who knew him. He was always positive and supportive, never uttering an unkind word about or to anyone. He taught his children and friends how to love unconditionally, enjoy life to the fullest, and be there for others. He truly did make the world a better place and it will be up to us to fill the hole that his passing left in the world by continuing his legacy. His family is requesting that donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in his memory. Services will be held in New York with a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph's Church, Dannemora NY on Friday May 8th, at 12:00 noon. Burial to follow at St. Joseph's new cemetery at 613 Picketts Corners Road, Saranac NY. A reception will follow at St. Joseph's church hall.Arrangements are under the trusted care of Lohman Funeral Home.A poem written about Richard Harrica by his granddaughters Elonne and Qwin Pisacane:The ForestOne man among the mountainsThe heart of a forest beating within his chestRoots, rocks, rivers, moss he understands them allWelcoming their lessons he is fulfilledAnd transforms the lives of those who surround himA thousand family histories rolling off his tongueGenerations toil in fields, amongst the wildCloaked in furs, grasping industrial instrumentsTheir many names weave throughout the hillsRoots entangled in time's soil sprout new leavesBy his introduction we shake hands with ancestorsHe fills our hearts with pride in those who came before usHeritage of faith built upon his shouldersThe bedrock foundation of a strengthening beliefStone of fortitude never crumbles weathering the galeBeside us in communion and confirmationHis grounding presence answers a prayer for peaceAll who know him can see the steadfast SpiritRadiating from kind words and a warm embraceSparkling eyes are the first clue to his zeal for lifeLike the four footed creatures of wooded trailsHe plays, relishing the journey to a winning handHours of joy with playing cards and pickleballsLaughter around a table extended to fit loved onesWe make the most of the deal and the drawLiving life learning strategy and accepting luckHis wisdom bright, the surety of survival beckonsTo those lost among glens of bramble and brackenWandering on clouded journeys with no stars to guideLike mossy green trails blossoming from oak to pineStudents who roam with his insight on their mindsFollow the gentle rays of his northern lightEach seed starts with the brightening sunshineNitrogen, oxygen whisked into chemical energyA formula of warmth baked into fueling foodAnd he the sun to feed with goodness his forestSweet treats, fresh bread, hand harvested potatoesServed with a heaping side of cherished kindnessA colored bloom hails joy from wooded monotonypositivity their essence, these flowers verdantHis encouragement a blossom just as vibrantEach dance recital applause and birthday songCarefully captured by a shutter's click of happinessPouring pride and hope to the soul in stridesThe possibility of intertwining countless livesFlows through him in the gift of conversationLike the brook babbling between trunk and fernHe shares the ageless stories of eight decadesAnd keeps up with the boundless current of town and familyDrinking in the connection, his community growsHe doesn't just see the trees, he is the forestTwo young women walk the path he helped weaveWith his energy and constant support held closeThey persevere over boulder and through valeClimbing mountains to touch the skyTo plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.