PALMYRA: Watson, Richard W. passed along peacefully on Saturday, May 23, 2015 at the age of 83. Family and friends are invited to call from 6-8pm on Fri., May 29 at the Robert L. Yost Funeral Home, Inc., 123 W. Main St., Palmyra. A graveside committal service will be held at 11am on Saturday, May 30 at Palmyra Cemetery (Please meet at the Vienna Street Gate). A memorial service will be held at 1pm on Saturday, May 30 at the Western Presbyterian Church of Palmyra followed by a reception in fellowship hall. Memorials may be directed to Western Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, 101 East Main St., Palmyra, NY 14522 or to the Palmyra – Macedon Lions Club, PO Box 83, Palmyra, NY 14522.

Dick grew up in Massachusetts and earned his BA at MIT. He and Carol, his wife of more than 60 years were married in 1953. After a tour of duty with the U.S. Army, Dick and Carol moved to Palmyra where he began work as a Patent Agent with Garlock. Dick had served as a member of the Pal-Mac Board of Education and the Four Counties Board of Education. He was a former chairman of Palmyra Canaltown Days and a trustee for Dollars-For-Scholars. Dick was a 50 year member of the Palmyra-Macedon Lions Club and a Melvin Jones Fellow. When he wasn't busy volunteering with the Food Pantry or serving as a We-Care driver, Dick enjoyed salt and fresh water fishing, golf, woodworking and tending his vegetable garden.

Mr. Watson is predeceased by his wife Carol and brother Robert B. Watson. He is survived by his daughters Linda (James) Zurich and Gail (Leslie Preisner) Watson; grandsons Nicholas and Cooper Zurich; sister-in-law Carol Watson and several nieces and nephews.