Fr Robert and family, my heartfelt prayers and thoughts are with you. Robert you lost not only a brother but a best friend.

I remember Fr. Richard when he first arrived at St. Cecilia's Church, I was in 8th grade at the time. He pulled into the rectory wearing his white gloves and asked who he assumed was the gardener where he could find the pastor. Well the gardener was the pastor Fr. Newcomb. After that embarrassing beginning Richard went on to a wonderful and blessed life serving the Lord and His people. Fr Richard introduced me to tennis, music (I remember being treated to the Hallelujah concert at the Eastman theater, Fr Robert you were with us) and he planted the seeds of my becoming a priest. He took the mystery of priesthood away and showed me the human side of a vocation. I entered the seminary after my first year of college and was ordained in 1984. After 6 years in ministry life took me in another direction, still I serve the Lord with the same reverence and humility that Fr. Richard showed me.

While we may grieve the loss of Fr Richard we must also rejoice that he is at peace and one with the Lord in Heaven. Someday we will all be together again.

Frank DiSano