Birth date: Jul 30, 1946 Death date: Sep 23, 2013
Richard E. "Dick" DeGroot, 67, of East Syracuse, passed away on Monday at Crouse Hospital. He was born in Syracuse, the son of the late R. Elliot and Marie (Simone) DeGroot. Dick graduated from Christian Brothers Academy and Le Mo Read Obituary
I am so sorry to hear about Dick's passing, my prayers are with Carol and his entire family.
We were truly sad to hear about Richard's passing. Unfortunately, we did not hear about the wake until after the fact and therefore missed the opportunity to pay our respects in person. As cousins, we have cherished memories of the good times with Richard, Uncle Dom, Aunt Rosie and our other cousins. As athletes, Richard played for CBA and I played for North, so we had some good rivalries! Our deepest sympathy at our family's and the community's loss. Cousin Al Giacchi and Sandra (Giacchi) Longo and families.
I have had the privilege of knowing and working for Mr. DeGroot for almost 9 years. I am very confident in saying that I will never meet or work for a more genuinely good person than Mr. DeGroot. He was more like a father figure to me than a boss. He demanded respect, but it was apparent that he cared about me not only as an employee, but as a person. Mr. DeGroot led by example. He was one of the most hardest working people that I have ever known. I will miss the clanging of Mr. DeGroot's keys in the morning after getting the mail, and him chuckling at me in the afternoon as he is reminding me not to hit his Mercades on my way out the door. Carol, please know that I am here for you whenever you need anything.
I graduated from CBA with Dick. We played football and even worked at Dee's Flying gas station on Erie Blvd. He was a fun person with a gentle heart. I am sadden at his passing and will miss him. Tom DeRose
To the DeGroot Family and Professional Team:
I have known Dick for 10 or so years and must tell you was the most professional vendor I have had the pleasure of working with. It was very apparent that he adored his family and enjoyed talking about all of the accomplishments of his children. He was the type of person who made you feel that you were the most important client he had. He was a teacher, mentor and friend and I will miss him dearly.
To the staff at DeGroot - carry-on! That is what Dick would want. He was so fond of all of you, and he had faith in your abilities.
Mary O'Shei, BBOE
Dear Carol and family, and "the girls at DeGroot", My deepest sympathies in Dick's passing away. He was such a nice man to know! I truly enjoyed getting to know him and enjoyed the stories he shared with me. My prayers are with all of you.
Sincerely,
Teresa Songer
Dear Carol and family,
Greg and I were both shocked to hear of Dicks passing. He was a wonderful man and baseball coach and a great mentor for our son Chip. Our sympathy goes out to you, the E-man, Garrett and your daughter. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you.
Love,
Donna & Greg Gray
Dick was the center on the CBA football teams in the 60's . He loved his school and played with all his heart . He lived life to the fullest and never forgot his school . All his team and schoolmates will miss him . - Peter Snow
To all of Dick's family, friends and colleagues :
We only knew Dick through his business dealing with the NYS Department of Labor but he was the most professional , personable and knowledgable employer agent we have ever dealt with. Over the years we learned about his sons and baseball , his daughter teaching on long island and his days training horses at Finger Lakes. We will miss his calls the day before the Triple Crown or Breeder's Cup races just to talk horses. Although we never had the pleasure of meeting him personally he became a favorite "uncle " to many of us here at the NYS Department of Labor he was a great man and he will be sorely missed by each and everyone of us here. We are truly sorry for your loss.
Dick's friends at the NYS Department of Labor
