POTSDAM — A funeral service for Mr. Richard E. Merchant, 76, of Norfolk, New York will be held Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at 10:00 am at the Seymour Funeral Home in Potsdam with Rev. James Barnes, officiating. Burial will follow in the Glenwood Cemetery in Oneida, NY at 3:30 PM with military honors. Friends may call at Seymour Funeral Home on Tuesday afternoon and evening from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Mr. Merchant died at his home in Norfolk on Saturday, July 8, 2012.

Mr. Merchant is survived by his wife, Sandra of Norfolk, one son Richard K. Merchant of Potsdam, one daughter Colleen D’Iorio of Chelsea, Quebec, Canada, one brother Douglas Merchant of Cazenovia, New York and one sister Barbara Winsman of Westport, New York. He is also survived by two grandsons, Kristian Merchant of Potsdam and Ender D’Iorio Chelsea, Quebec, Canada, four granddaughters Anna Gael Merchant and Grace Merchant both of Potsdam, Bianca D’Iorio, Chelsea, Quebec, Canada and Arabella D’Iorio of Chelsea, Quebec, Canada. Four stepdaughters, Diane Durant, Suzanne Thibault and husband Ray, Dr. Joanne Cichetti and husband Dr. Neil Cichetti all of Massena, New York. His surviving step-grandchildren are Nicholas, Matthew, Madeline, Andrew, Elizabeth, Gianna, Katherine and Alexander.

Richard is pre-deceased by four siblings Martin Merchant, Virginia Mullooly, Ellen Blann, Nancy Merchant, and also by two step-grandchildren Benjamin Durant and William Cichetti.

Richard was born in Oneonta, New York on June 11, 1936 the son of Martin Luther Victor Merchant, and Gladys Eldredge Merchant. He earned his BA degree at Michigan State University and his MS degree from Syracuse University.

Mr. Merchant was married to Gail Peebles on March 22, 1958. She died in 1992. He was later married to Sandra Beaudin on December 28, 1996 at their home in Norfolk, New York.

Mr. Merchant was a member and past president of the Norfolk Lions Club, a member of the American Auditory Society, a volunteer at Canton Potsdam Hospital cardiology from 2007 to 2012, the St. Lawrence County Citizen Patrol being SGT in charge of unit within Sheriff’s Department, a Norfolk Town Councilman 1978-1983, Norfolk Town Supervisor from 1983-1987 and the Tri-Town (Norfolk) Little League Commissioner 1972-1976. He received the NYSUT Community Service Award in 1996 and SUNY Potsdam Excellence in Public Service Awards 1983 and 1991.

If friends desire memorial contributions may be made in Richard’s memory to Hospice and Palliative Care, 6805 US Highway 11, Potsdam, NY 13676.

Arrangements are with Seymour Funeral Home in Potsdam.

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