Obituary of Richard E. Daly

Schenectady - Richard E. Daly, 87, know to most as Dick and to many as Uncle Dick, died peacefully Tuesday September 25, 2018 at the Glendale Home. He was born in Schenectady, the son of Sarto and Kathryn Daly. He was a proud graduate of St. Columba High School and was a U S Navy veteran. Dick dedicated his life to the Daly Funeral Home, Inc. In his early years of work, he work along side his father and brothers and in later years working with his brother Larry , daughter Susan and nephews Larry Jr. and Doug. Working an endless amount of hours , providing technical care and completing funeral arrangements for the deceased , helping their families say "Good Bye" to their loved ones, in our Schenectady community. A common statement was often heard "What are you going to do for those people? Dick was always thinking of ways to ease their burden. Always putting their needs before his own. He enjoyed working with the interns, fondly referring to them as "his boys". He taught them the ways of a dedicated funeral director, learning the right way to do things, with no short cuts, because you are too much in a hurry to accomplish things the right way. He will be remembered by the kids in the neighborhood as a parent participating in the baseball and kickball street games. He enjoyed ice skating at Central Park with his daughter Susan and her friends, waterskiing and boating vacations at Caroga Lake and Sacandaga, where he was often the adult leading the kids up the mountain trail or on a nature hike. In later years he enjoyed having more beach time and snorkeling in Florida, reading and shell craft projects. He loved to go to the movies, listening to music and attending the Colleen Pratt evenings around the capital district. He embraced his Irish heritage and enjoyed nautical decorations. His whistling will be missed by those who loved him and worked with him. He was a member of the National Funeral Directors Assoc., the New York Funeral Directors Assoc.; served on the Advisory Board at Hudson Valley to establish the mortuary program at the college. For decades he was the Secretary of the former Schenectady Funeral Directors Assoc. A Life and 3rd order member of the Knights of St. John and a former member of the Liedercranz. He always worked on the St. Columba class reunions and was a lifelong communicant of St. Luke's Church, where he served for decades as an Usher and was a member of the Holy Name Society. Dick married the love of his life, Shirley; they were married 57 years at the time of her death in 2010. He is survived by his daughter Susan; a granddaughter Kerry (DJ) Detweiler; his brother Larry (Nancie); nephew and nieces Larry,Jr ; Michelle (John), Lauren and Ashley and great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Bob and nephews Michael and Doug. Funeral service, Saturday morning 11:00 at St. Luke's Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Calling hours, Friday afternoon 3:00 to 8:00 in the evening at the Daly Funeral Home, Inc., 242 McClellan St., Schenectady. Interment, St. Joseph's Cemetery, Schenectady. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke's Church (for use at church or food pantry), 1241 State St., Schenectady, NY 12304 or the Glendale Home, 59 Hetcheltown Rd., Scotia, NY 12302, (for the Activities or Pastoral Care Depts.) Dick's family would like to extend heart felt gratitude to Erin and all of the staff of Mohawk Trails and other Glendale staff who provided excellent comfort and care to Dick the last few years of his life. We also want to thank his aide Penny, for providing happy times and funny conversations this past year. They all kept him going. The members of the Knights of St. John are requested to meet at the funeral home Friday evening at 5:00 for a prayer service. Dick, "may your violin case always be full."