GEORGE J. “SKIP” RICHARDSON ~ Age 93, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2020 at the VA Upstate NY Healthcare System, Batavia, NY. He had resided there for two years among his fellow veterans, receiving the very best of care. Skip was born on February 26, 1927 in Minooka, PA, the youngest child of Mary Davin Richardson and Charles Richardson. His father, Charles, was killed in a coal mine accident just a few weeks before Skip was born.
Skip spent his childhood in eastern PA with his mother, grandmother and siblings. His mother then remarried, and the family moved to the Lackawanna, NY area. As a young man, Skip worked as a waiter at various restaurants and hotels in the area, including the famed Hotel Statler. (He later showed off his ability to carry several plates on one arm at home— until he dropped one of his wife’s good china!)
In his early twenties, Skip enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp, and traveled the world. He fought in the Korean Conflict, was seriously wounded, and was awarded the Purple Heart. Following his recovery and discharge, he returned to the Lackawanna area and began work at the Bethlehem Steel Corporation, where he remained until his retirement at age 55.
On September 15, 1956, Skip married the former Alice M. Schiedel. One condition of the wedding that Alice made was that there be square dancing - a real problem for Skip, since he and his friends were ‘city boys’. The dancing turned out to be the most fun the city slickers had in years, though; something country-girl Alice remembered throughout their 63 years of marriage.
Skip and Alice had three children, and when they were small, life revolved around work and raising a family. But Skip still found time to be involved in lots of other activities! He took his children (and lots of the neighbor kids, too) roller skating and ice skating; he repaired bicycles for just about everyone; he led a boy scout troop; and at age 40, he got on a “health kick” and started jogging.
It was the jogging that really “took off” for him. Transitioning from a quick mile or two around the playground, with the neighborhood kids tagging behind, to a marathon in Washington, D.C. with thousands of other Marines didn’t take Skip long at all! He ran an eight-minute mile or better right up through his seventies and participated in several marathons. The charity 10- and 5- K runs he competed in are too numerous to count.
Of course, running wasn’t Skip’s only passion. He was a member/volunteer, and in some cases an officer, of the following organizations: Crown Club (charter member); Steel City Hunting Club; ROMEOs (Retired Old Men Eating Out); Disabled American Veterans; Korean H1 Club; Buffalo Host Lion’s Club (twice recipient of Melvin Jones award); Blasdell and Big Tree Elementary Schools Senior Volunteers Program; Buffalo News seller for Kids’ Day to benefit Children’s Hospital (many years); Independent Living Center; Buffalo Philharmonic Running Club; Five Gallon Blood Donor for the Red Cross.
Skip is survived by his devoted wife, Alice; his three loving children, Margaret (Patrick), George B., and Paul; his three cherished grandchildren, Colleen (Stan), Maureen, and Kathleen, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews and godchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, his stepfather, his six brothers and sisters, and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Buffalo Host Lions Club, Children’s Hospital, or any of the many wonderful organizations that Skip so faithfully served.
Please share your words of comfort with George’s family at www.tomaszewskifh.com
With the current health situation in our country, a memorial gathering for Skip will take place later.
THE FAMILY OF GEORGE J. “SKIP” RICHARDSON IS BEING CARED FOR BY THE MICHAEL S. TOMASZEWSKI FUNERAL & CREMATION CHAPEL, LLC 4120 WEST MAIN STREET ROAD BATAVIA, NEW YORK 14020 – (585)343-7500
