Richard Townsend

Middleburgh- Richard E. Townsend, 64, of Main Street, went home to be with Jesus on Tuesday, July 10, 2012, following a seven-month courageous battle with cancer.

Born June 24, 1948 in Bridgeport, CT, he was the son of the late Rosalie (Kovar) Townsend and Paul A. Townsend, who survives him.

Rick grew up in Dallas, Texas and later moved to Michigan at the age of 16. Rick received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Oakland University in Michigan and enjoyed a thirty-one year career educating elementary and middle school students.

His hobbies include stained glass, comic books, and camping. In Nov. 2008, he and his wife relocated to New York and they later became active members of Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church in Schoharie.

Survivors include his wife, Mary (Otto) Townsend, whom he married Sept. 13, 1969; his son: Chris (Catherine) Townsend and their two children, Gage and Nora, of South Orange, NJ; his father: Paul A. Townsend of Blue Hill, ME; a brother: Mark (Anne Marie) Townsend of Loudonville, NY; and his sister, Gayle Townsend.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, July 16, 2012 at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 326 Main St., Middleburgh with Pastor Royan Rodney officiating. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 PM on Sunday at Palmer & Shaylor Funeral Home, 134 River St., Middleburgh. Cremation and inurnment will follow at a later time.

Due to allergies, the family requests that flowers not be sent. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Marathon for a Better Life, PO Box 268, Warnerville, NY 12187 or Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. 795 E. Main St., Suite 11, Cobleskill, NY 12043.