Obituary of Richard N. Gladd

Obituary Notice Richard N. "Dick" Gladd, 74, died peacefully at his home on Saturday night following a long illness. Dick was born to Lee and Merilda LeMare Gladd in 1934. He graduated from Saranac Lake High School in 1951. He began as a counterman in 1954 with Northland Auto Supply, retiring as sales manager in 1994. He served as a specialist in the Army receiving an honorable discharge in 1962. Following his retirement he worked for Hertz at the Adirondack Regional Airport. Dick was known to many through his volunteering: as a little league umpire, volunteer fireman, member of the Fish and Game Club or with the React Club. He was an avid bowler. He was a long standing member of the board of directors of the New York State Automotive Wholesalers Association. He was always ready to help, whether it was a local who had car problems and needed to have him open the Auto Supply after hours or a visiting salesperson who needed a home cooked meal. Recognizing the waiting time at the airport he established a lending library, computer station and musical keyboard for entertainment. He had a lifelong love of music and played many musical instruments. Dick welcomed many visitors to the region with a warm smile, a hug or a good joke. Dick is survived by his wife Carol (Stott) of 53 years and a son, Michael Gladd of Bloomingdale. He also leaves three daughters and their husbands, Tina and John Clark of Vermontville, Patti and Dale Finlayson of Loon Lake and Michelle and Joseph Simmons of Bloomingdale. He is the proud grandfather of Kevin and his wife Megan and Kyle Clark, Sherrie and her husband Michael Dukett, Matthew and Elizabeth Finlayson, Jeffrey Greene, Megan and Savannah Simmons and great grandfather to Ethan Dukett. He is also survived by Thorn, Laurie, Brian, Timothy and Hannah Shuler of Austin Texas, Vilma Nieves of Framingham, Massachusetts and his sister Jeanne Duso of Bradenton Florida and brother Ronald and his wife Marty Gladd of Penfield, New York, a sister-in-law, Charlotte Gladd and brother-in-law Leon Harvey both of Saranac Lake. He leaves many cousins, nieces and nephews. Calling hours will take place at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home from 3:00 to 6:00 PM on Wednesday November 5, 2008 at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home. A veteran's service will take place at 5:45 PM. A memorial service will take place Wednesday evening at the funeral home at 6:00 PM with Rev. Maggie McCarey of the First United Methodist Church Officiating. Friends wishing to remember Dick may make memorial contributions to the Tri-Lakes Humane Society in care of the Funeral home. Family and friends may also share their memories and sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.