Richard David Harrica

Richard 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 Forest

One man among the mountains

The heart of a forest beating within his chest

Roots, rocks, rivers, moss he understands them all

Welcoming their lessons he is fulfilled

And transforms the lives of those who surround him

A thousand family histories rolling off his tongue

Generations toil in fields, amongst the wild

Cloaked in furs, grasping industrial instruments

Their many names weave throughout the hills

Roots entangled in time's soil sprout new leaves

By his introduction we shake hands with ancestors

He fills our hearts with pride in those who came before us

Heritage of faith built upon his shoulders

The bedrock foundation of a strengthening belief

Stone of fortitude never crumbles weathering the gale

Beside us in communion and confirmation

His grounding presence answers a prayer for peace

All who know him can see the steadfast Spirit

Radiating from kind words and a warm embrace

Sparkling eyes are the first clue to his zeal for life

Like the four footed creatures of wooded trails

He plays, relishing the journey to a winning hand

Hours of joy with playing cards and pickleballs

Laughter around a table extended to fit loved ones

We make the most of the deal and the draw

Living life learning strategy and accepting luck

His wisdom bright, the surety of survival beckons

To those lost among glens of bramble and bracken

Wandering on clouded journeys with no stars to guide

Like mossy green trails blossoming from oak to pine

Students who roam with his insight on their minds

Follow the gentle rays of his northern light

Each seed starts with the brightening sunshine

Nitrogen, oxygen whisked into chemical energy

A formula of warmth baked into fueling food

And he the sun to feed with goodness his forest

Sweet treats, fresh bread, hand harvested potatoes

Served with a heaping side of cherished kindness

A colored bloom hails joy from wooded monotony

positivity their essence, these flowers verdant

His encouragement a blossom just as vibrant

Each dance recital applause and birthday song

Carefully captured by a shutter's click of happiness

Pouring pride and hope to the soul in strides

The possibility of intertwining countless lives

Flows through him in the gift of conversation

Like the brook babbling between trunk and fern

He shares the ageless stories of eight decades

And keeps up with the boundless current of town and family

Drinking in the connection, his community grows

He doesn't just see the trees, he is the forest

Two young women walk the path he helped weave

With his energy and constant support held close

They persevere over boulder and through vale

Climbing mountains to touch the sky