Richard Newell

October 3, 1928 - December 27, 2020

Richard Newell was born in 1928 in Valley Stream, NY, to Edwin and Lillie Newell. He was married in 1951 to Audrey Grace Schwarz of Valley Stream, NY. He served in the U S Army 1950-1952. He is survived by his wife of 69 years Audrey Newell, son Peter Newell, and daughter Wendy Newell. He died Sunday morning, Dec 27 2020, at Mountain Valley Hospice in Gloversville. Richard and Audrey Newell and their children began spending summer holidays in Lake Pleasant in the early 1960s at Road’s End cabins on Sacandaga Lake. After a few summers of renting a cabin for a week or two, the family began staying at Road’s End for the entire summer. Audrey and the kids would come in the beginning of the summer and stay until school started in the fall. Richard would spend his week or two of vacation time with us, and then commute back and forth from Long Island every weekend to spend time with his family. He would also drive his family to “our” cabin as many weekends as possible in the fall and winter. He was always willing to leave late and drive into the night so we could spend as much time here and together as possible. The family made many local friends during this time. Richard’s early career was with Lone Star Cement Company in New York City and later on in Rockland County. The family moved to Lake Pleasant permanently in 1971. Richard and Audrey purchased the liquor store and motel in Speculator, which he ran for several years, before beginning his career in insurance in Northville. Audrey took over the daily running of the liquor store, which was sold years later, and Richard continued working in the insurance agency until he was in his 70’s, serving many local families. Richard was very active in the local community, involved in many local organizations and projects that bettered the lives of local families. He served more than 30 years on the school board and was president of the school board for many years, long after his children had graduated! He was involved with the founding of the Chamber of Commerce and actively supported all local businesses. He was a longtime member of the Lion’s Club and an officer in that organization for years. He was an active organizer of the Lions Club annual Fly In / Drive In breakfast at the airport in Piseco, which has been held every August for years. Richard had a private pilot’s license which he earned late in life. He loved to fly, even though he did not get to fly very much, and to watch airplanes, and the fly-in breakfast was one of the highlights of his year. It was not held this year due to COVID-19, but his family hopes that the Lion’s Club will make the effort to continue it in the future. There will be no funeral. A memorial service will be planned for later in the year. Richard’s wish was that those who would like to commemorate his life would do so with donations to the Lake Pleasant Fire Department 114 South Shore Rd PO Box 545 Lake Pleasant, NY 12108 or the SVAC Speculator Volunteer Ambulance Corps PO Box 203 Speculator, NY 12164 PO Box 203 Speculator, NY 12164 in his memory. Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Northville Funeral Home. Condolences may be made to the family online at www.northvillefuneralservice.com.