Obituary of Richard A. Mackewitz

Richard Allen Mackewitz, age 73, of Phillipsport, NY, departed this life on June 25, 2013 after a long courageous battle with cancer. He passed away at home embraced by his loving wife and family. Richard was married for 18 years to the true love of his life. He and Patricia shared a love only a few couples ever experience. Their marriage, their love together, is what we all strive for. After graduating from Ellenville High School in Ellenville, NY in 1959, Richard proudly served our country in the United States Navy for 20 years doing three tours of duty in Vietnam. He served aboard ship, was stationed in the US and abroad, and then completed his career as a recruiter out of the Kingston, NY office. After serving in the military, he was employed by Valley Central School District in Montgomery, NY for 20 years. Richard was a “Ham Radio” enthusiast (WC2CLF) and loved connecting with other hams, locally and around the world. He was a past member of the SCARS Radio Club, Monticello, NY. His true passion was RV’ing. After retiring, he and Patricia spent 6 years traveling full time in their motor home, throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. His hobbies were model trains, woodworking, fishing, boating and his love for his pets, dogs Parker and Skipper, and cat Martina. Left to cherish his memory, are his loving wife and best friend, Patricia at home; his sister, Karen Thornton and her husband, Earl; his estranged daughter, Ruth Ann Calcagni of Pine Bush; his stepdaughter Catherine Tokle and her husband, Kenneth of Mechanicsburg, PA; his stepson Robert Roosa Sr. and his wife Stina of Lafayette, IN; his sons-in-law: Bruce Richner and his wife, Kim of Pine Bush, and William Radivoy and his wife, Wendy of New Port Richey, FL. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Robert Roosa Jr. and fiancé, Stephanie of Westside, NY, James Roosa and his wife, Allison of Fort O’Reilly-Manhattan, KS, Kendal Mackewitz of Orlando, FL, Matthew, Shaun and Tyler Richner of Pine Bush, John, Crystal and Rebecca Radivoy of New Port Richey, FL, Logan & Anna Tokle of Mechanicsburg, PA; his 2 year old great granddaughter, Stella Marie Roosa of Westside, NY, as well as several aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews, and also his many local friends and RV’ing friends across the country. In addition to his parents, Richard was predeceased by his son Stephen and daughter Theresa. The family would like to express our thanks and gratitude to the staffs of Orange Regional Medical Center, Elant of Goshen and Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties for their service and support. At Richard’s request there will be a direct cremation with no services. In memory of Richard, donations can be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. www.woundedwarriorproject.org Arrangements under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Wurtsboro. For additional information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com