Lloyd R. Richards

BRASHER FALLS - Mr. Lloyd R. "Mop Mop" Richards, 79, of 2487 County Route 38, passed away Thursday evening (March 4, 2010) at Fletcher-Allen Medical Center, Burlington, Vt., where he had been a patient since Feb. 24.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena. Burial will be in the spring in Pine Grove Cemetery.

Lloyd is survived by a son, Lloyd Charles Richard, Hollywood, Calif.; stepchildren Carol Clark and husband Calvin of Winthrop, Darlene Drean and companion Don Cole of Davenport, Fla., and Stanley Gydeson and wife Mary of Tucson, Az.; several grand and great grandchildren; a sister, Lillian Papandreas of Baltimore, Md.; two brothers, Raymond A. Richards of Massena and Lawrence Richards and wife Shirley of Syracuse; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a son, Timothy John; two brothers, Charles A. and Robert W. Richards; and four sisters, Ruth M. Lauber, Doris K. Savage, Evelyn M. Kicklighter and Barbara Ann Richards.

Lloyd was born Jan. 27, 1931 in Norfolk, the son of Robert and Ruth Narrow Richards. He attended Norfolk and Massena schools and also attended St. Mary's School in Massena.,

He entered the U.S. Army on Feb. 4, 1948, serving in Japan with the 613th Aircraft Control and Warning Battalion, being honorably discharged on October 31, 1949.

He married Mary Kirkey on Nov. 1, 1952 at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. William O. Thomas, officiating. The marriage ended in divorce.

Lloyd later met his companion of 33 years, Dorothy M. Gydeson, who predeceased him on July 3, 2007.

Lloyd started working at age 16 for Cappione's Coal Company in Massena. After his discharge from the Army, he worked at Alcoa in Inspection 79 and maintenance before moving to Syracuse. He also worked during the construction of the Seaway for five years.

He later worked for General Motors in the buffing department before becoming a self-employed painter, working in Massena and Florida. He also did finishing work at many local churches. Lloyd retired at the age of 69.

Lloyd is a former member of the VFW and the Amvets.

He was a hard worker all his life and enjoyed taking care of his lawn and home. He also enjoyed feeding the birds and loved all animals and telling stories.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Tri-Town Rescue Squad.

Condolences may be made online at www.donaldsonfh.com .