Mr. Richard R. Race

Richard R. (Rick) Race, 65, of McGraw, NY died at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center on Buffalo, NY on May 23, 2024. He was the son of Ralph and Margaret Neugebauer Race, and was born in Cortland, NY on June 13, 1958. Rick began his working life as a teenager on the Johnson’s farm in Cortland. He then worked his way through the production department at Buckbee Mears Cortland where he met his current wife, Patricia. In addition to Rick’s 2 children, he and Patricia welcomed their own child and shared the love of their blended family. After moving on from BMC, he was the proprietor of Trout Brook Bait & Tackle in Polkville and later worked for Cortland Ready Mix/Saunders Concrete Co. where many new and enduring friendships originated. Richard was at his happiest and most content when spending time outdoors. Hunting, fishing, scuba diving and working on the vegetable garden were some of his favorite activities. A picnic lunch, a sunny sky and a gassed-up boat provided for a perfect day at Staghorn Point on Skaneateles Lake with Pat and the kids. A dozen plus trips to Aruba were also a great source of happiness. Rick’s five grandchildren were also an immense source of pride and contentment. Rick is survived by his beloved wife and best friend, Patricia Masterson-Race; children Joseph (Tyree) Race, Marleah (Charles) Flanigan, and Patrick (Danielle) Race; his mother Margaret Neugebauer Race; brothers Robert (Colleen) Race, Charles (Ann) Race, John (Kristen) Race; sisters Mary (Bill) Durant, Nancy (Charles) Dalley, Carla (Michael) Shanahan and Kathleen (David) Lee. Richard also leaves his 5 grandchildren: Heath, Hugo, Josefene, Autumn and Juniper in addition to aunts, an uncle, cousins, nephews, nieces, and a roster of many close friends. He is also survived by his first wife Sally Jo Crayton Race. Richard was predeceased by his grandparents, his youngest brother R. Andrew (d. 2009) and his father Ralph (d. 2017). In one of Rick’s final acts of courage, he agreed to his participation in a clinical trial of medications to someday prevent Graft vs. Host Disease (GVHD) to hopefully prevent a transplant patient’s body from rejecting the donor cells. His medical record will be thoroughly and diligently studied by experts at Roswell Park and many other medical centers around the world. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday May 29, 2024 in the Chapel of Riccardi Funeral Home 69 N. Main Street, Cortland from 4- 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday May 30, 2024 at 11 a.m. in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Cortland, NY with internment following at St. Anthony’s Cemetery, Groton, NY. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the following and notate: “In Memory of Richard R. Race” in the memo: Friends of Dwyer Memorial Park, c/o 1st National Bank of Dryden, 12 S. Main Street, Homer, NY 13077; McGraw Sportsman Club, 3154 Ridge Road, McGraw, NY 13101 or Solon Sportsman Club, 4475 Sportsman Club Road, East Freetown, NY 13040

Mr. Richard R. Race

June 13, 1958 - May 23, 2024