Obituary of Richard J. Lowery

Richard (Dick) J. Lowery, Sr. 82, passed away at Crouse Hospital after a brief illness. He was born in Syracuse, New York the youngest of the seven children of James and Marguerite (Phelan) Lowery, graduated from St. Anthony of Padua High School and attended Lemoyne College. He is survived by his loving wife, Rita (Marcinkowski) of 60 years, daughter, Nancy and husband, Joseph O’Connor of Bethesda, MD, son, Richard Jr. and wife, Liza (Salanger) of Syracuse, son, Michael and Wendy (Russell) of Syracuse, and son, Mark of Orlando, Florida. Dick was the proud grandfather of Erin O’Connor, Joseph O’Connor, Hannah O’Connor, and Addie Lowery. He served in the United States National Guard stationed at Camp Drum, New York. Dick was a communicant of St Charles Church in Westvale for 50 years where he served as President of the Parish Council, Parish Men’s Retreat Coordinator, was a liturgical lector for 42 years, and coach of the CYO Grammar School basketball team. He also coached in the Westvale football and baseball leagues, was the Commissioner of the Geddes Babe Ruth Baseball League, and was a Cub Scout leader. He served on the Town of Geddes Assessment Grievance Board, was a Eucharistic Minister for Van Duyn Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and a Unity Kitchen volunteer. Dick had a successful career in the insurance industry, retiring from Aetna Life and Casualty to become the Director of Risk Management at Crouse Irving Memorial Hospital. He was a loyal Syracuse University sports fan and a season’s ticket holder for 35 years. Dick was loved and respected by all who knew him. His kind and giving nature was complimented by his infectious laugh, engaging personality, and delightful sense of humor. The Lowery family would like to express their gratitude to the doctors and nurse practitioners of the Colon Rectal Associates of CNY, the nursing staff of the 4th floor Memorial, and Spiritual Care team of Crouse Irving Memorial Hospital who all cared and ministered to Dick with such generosity, compassion and kindness in his final days. Donations can be made at CNY United c/o Champions for Life; 453 Grant Avenue Rd. Auburn, NY 13021, or to the St. Charles Food Pantry, c/o St. Ann’s and St. Charles Parish, 4471 Onondaga Blvd, Syracuse, NY 13219. Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 25, 2017 at St. Charles Borromeo, Syracuse. Calling hours will be from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Monday, July 24, 2017 at the Edward J. Ryan and Son Funeral Home, 3180 Bellevue Ave. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Geddes.