Richard Benjamin Potter
Kissimmee, FL - Richard Benjamin Potter, 81, of Kissimmee, a former resident of Wellsville, NY, passed on to be with our Lord on Sunday (Nov. 6, 2011) at Floyd Prestige Rehabilitation Center following a lengthy illness.
He was born Oct. 6, 1930, in Duke Center, PA, a son of Benjamin and Hazel Jordan Potter.
Richard graduated from Allentown (NY) Union School in 1948 and worked for CE Air Preheater Co. in Wellsville for 35 years. After his retirement in 1985, he worked several years as a relief bus driver for Scio Central School and as a limousine driver.
He was a member of University Lodge #230 F&AM in Alfred, NY, where he served as past master; was a member and past patron of Wellsville Star of the East #209 Order of the Eastern Star; and was a member of Loyal Order of Moose Lodges in Wellsville and Kissimmee.
Richard maintained a dual residence in Wellsville and Kissimmee until six years ago when he permanently moved to Florida. In his early years he loved riding motorcycles, bowling and playing pool. Later, he loved playing the fiddle weekly in a band, country dancing and playing shuffleboard, having won several senior shuffleboard championships in Florida.
Surviving are his wife, Oska; two daughters, Carol (John) Cosgrove and Lisa (Gary) Lewis, both of Wellsville; three sons, Richard Potter of Albion, NY, Duane (Bernie) Potter of Blasdell, NY, and Harvey (Christina) Potter of Wendell, NC; 15 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a sister, Pauline (Earl) Harriger of Bolivar, NY; a brother, Robert (Veronica) Potter of Barnesville, GA; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was predeceased by a wife, Gayle Lou Ferrier Potter; a baby daughter; and a brother, Glen Potter.
Visitation will be held Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Schaffner Funeral Home, Inc., Bolivar, where funeral services will be held Monday (Nov. 14, 2011) at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Maple Lawn Cemetery, Bolivar.
Submitted by Ron Taylor