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.RICHARD R. PYHTILA
KINGS FERRY, NY -Richard R. Pyhtila, age 49, of Kings Ferry, NY, formerly of Elmira, died at his parents home, in Elmira, on Thursday, July 8, 2004.Richard was born September 19, 1954, the son of Reino A. and Teresa Connelly Pyhtila.In addition to his parents, Richard is survived by his aunts, Aune Knuutila of Ithaca, NY and Aili Norton of Montour Falls, NY; uncles and aunts, Richard and Jan Connelly of Red Creek, NY and Fred and Theresa Maki of Van Etten, NY; along with several cousins and many good friends.Richard was a 1972 graduate of Southside High School, where he was a stand out athlete. Richard was a U.S. Navy veteran. He was retired from the Louis Gossett Residental Center in Lansing, NY where he was a Vocational Instructor. Richard was a member of the Kings Ferry Presbyterian Church and of the Union Springs American Legion Post #1107.Friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, corner of Water and Walnut Sts., Elmira, on Sunday, July 11, 2004.
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Barbara Glovins (Carine)
Richard is fondly remebered by his friends from Connelly Ave., and deeply missed by his Mom.
Erwin Williamson
Richard and I had been friends since early childhood. Rick would tell you that he had an interesting life of many experiences, and had few regrets. He loved SHS football and loved SHS Wrestling even more. He and I went to Syracuse several times to see the State Wrestling Tournament. He kept in touch with SHS classmates much better than I did. He was loved by many in his hometown and in his adopted King Ferry on Cayuga Lake. His personality was infectious. He was amicable and funny. He loved a well-told joke and produced many of his own. Those around him couldn't help but like him. He loved fishing and could be found regularly on the banks of Catherine Creek on opening day. He called eggs fried snot and hated them, claiming that since he was a patient man, he waited for them to become chickens! He loved the Grassroots Festival in Trumansburg. He loved music in general, especially classic rock. He and I (separately) went to the huge Summer Jam in 1972. I never did find him! Years later, he and his wife Ann attended the muddy 1994 Woodstock Reunion. If offered shot of Wild Turkey, he wouldn't turn one down. He claimed to have "powers far beyond those of mere mortal men." His life was cut short by cancer. Toward the end, he found his religious inner self. I and everyone who really knew Richard miss him to this day. He was truly one-of-a-kind.