Richard L. "Dick" Will's Obituary
Richard L. “Dick” Will, 93, of Jamesville, passed away peacefully at Francis House on Thursday, January 18, 2018. He was born and raised in Syracuse, NY and attended Pebble Hill School where he played baseball and was captain of the football team. He then attended Wesleyan College, but left after a year to join the United States Navy, serving in the South Pacific during World War II. He never forgot that experience and was able to revisit it with his old friend and fellow veteran, Dick Schneider, when they were part of Honor Flight Syracuse Mission #003 in 2015. That day was an impactful and humbling one for him.
His marriage to Dorothy Jean "Dottie" McElwain in 1945 began a life together that would last over 70 years until she passed away in 2015.
The first half of his 50 year sales career was spent at his family's business, Will & Baumer Candle Company. Not long after it was sold he joined Schneider Packaging Equipment where he enjoyed the second half. He retired at 75, but remarked recently "if I'd known I was going to live so long I wouldn't have retired so young"!
He and Dottie relished their many years on the waters of Oneida Lake, Lake Ontario, and the St. Lawrence River aboard their beloved vessel, "Bath Toy," while turning to snowmobiling and weekends at "The Cabin" in the winter months. In later years they decided to forego Central New York winters for the warmth of Florida.
Dick was a lifelong outdoorsman who enjoyed many successful deer hunting and fishing trips in the North Country, usually at the Grasse River Club. He also enjoyed many years of golf which produced two holes-in-one in the same year. During his life he enjoyed long term affiliations with the Grasse River Club, Lake Shore Yacht and Country Club, and the Gyro Club of Syracuse, a fraternity of friendship that was incredibly important to him for over 60 years. Dick’s friends in Gyro and all who knew him will remember him for being a decent, unassuming, “regular guy”.
No matter what activity he was involved with he always enjoyed it more when it included his sons, daughters-in-law, grandkids, or great-grandkids, and he was blessed with many. Those times were incredibly special to him and his family will treasure those memories forever.
In his last days at Francis House the one constant was his sense of humor. It never wavered nor did the way he carried himself. As his longtime physician, Paul Cohen, put it "He was a gentleman beyond compare”. May he rest in peace knowing how much he was loved.
Francis House is an amazing place and Dick so appreciated having the opportunity to be there. His family can’t thank the caregivers and volunteers, as well as Hospice of CNY enough for their compassion and devotion to their sacred missions.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 70 years, Dorothy (McElwain) Will on October 20, 2015.
Dick is survived by his sons, Eric W. (Joyce) Will II, and Richard L. (Gloria) Will, Jr., his grandchildren, Julie (Joseph) Cannizzo, Robert A. (De Anne) Will, Eric W. (Kelly) Will III, and Lindsay E. (Courtney) Wilson; his great-grandchildren, Francis, Mia, Talia, Isabella and Will Cannizzo; Avery, Henry, Harper, Clara, and Annalise Will; Charlotte, Caroline and Finlay Wilson; several nieces, great-nieces, and great-nephews, and his dear friend, Kay Keller.
Family and friends may call on Monday, January 22, 2018 from 4:00 – 6:00 pm, followed by a Funeral Service in celebration of Richard’s life at 6:00 pm in THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse, NY. Private entombment will be held in Woodlawn Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Francis House, 108 Michael’s Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13208.
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