Lawrence D. “Lannie” Richards

1954 - 2022

COOPERSTOWN – Lawrence Dale “Lannie” Richards, a longtime resident of the Cooperstown area, passed away unexpectedly Friday, June 10, 2022, at his home on Van Yahres Road. He was 67. 

Born September 11, 1954, in Westfield, Massachusetts, Lannie was one of five sons of Harold P. and Kathryn M. (Walrath) Richards. Raised in Cooperstown, he graduated with the Class of 1973 from Cooperstown Central School. 

On June 26, 1976, Lannie married Shari L. Nelson in Middlefield. Shari passed away unexpectedly June 16, 2011. 

After working at Bassett Hospital, he owned and operated Groundskeepers, providing property maintenance to many individuals and businesses in the Cooperstown area.

Throughout his life, Lannie was an avid hunter and enjoyed attending classic car shows and camping at the West Canada Creek with Priscilla. As a life-long resident, Lannie knew many people and had a great many more connections. He went out of his way for friends and clients, had a giving personality, and will be missed.

Lannie is survived by his companion, Priscilla J. Preston (née Weller) of Cooperstown; a son, Lawrence P. “Larry” Richards of Cooperstown; a daughter, Jennifer Richards of Middlefield; two brothers, Harry R. Richards of Cooperstown and Harry M. Richards and wife, Jeanie of Okeechobee, Florida and a sister-in-law, Dee Richards of New York State, and their families. 

In addition to his wife of 35 years, Shari, Lannie was predeceased by his father, Harold P. Richards who died October 13, 1994, his mother, Kathryn M. Richards who died April 14, 2001, and two brothers, Carl L. Richards who died March 30, 2001, and Harold P. Richards.  

There will be no services at this time. 

Arrangements are with the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.

If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.
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George W. McCrea

1936 - 2022

COOPERSTOWN – George W. McCrea, age 86, of Cooperstown, passed away peacefully early Thursday morning, June 16, 2022. 

George was born February 11, 1936, in Elizabeth, New Jersey, a son of James M. and Alice (Reilly) McCrea.

When he was a youngster his family moved to Laurens, where he graduated from Laurens Central School with the Class of 1955. During his high school years, he was a three-sport all-star in football, basketball and baseball. On January 18, 1956, he enlisted in the United States Navy and proudly served his country as a Third Class Petty Officer for four years following the Korean War. He often recalled when his ship, the USS Leyte, hit a whale, noting, “It stopped the ship dead in the water.” His aircraft carrier was responsible for patrolling the northeast coast of the United States. Following his honorable discharge on December 17, 1959, he apprenticed to and became a stone mason and a bricklayer. He also owned and operated a farm on the Middlefield Center Road.

George married Constance “Connie” Larsen of Cooperstown, and together they raised their three children in Cooperstown, first in the Village and later on their farm in Middlefield Center. 

George is survived by his wife, Connie; three children, Karen (Keith) McCrea of Meco, Katherine McCrea of Anchorage, Alaska, and Michael (Marie) McCrea of Middlefield Center; seven grandchildren, Erin Lamouret, Collin Lamouret (Sandra) and Hannah Lamouret Gross (Joshua), Piper Lightwood and Maxwell Lightwood, and Julia McCrea and Leah McCrea; and four great grandsons, Alexander, Rhett and Keelan Gross and Patrick Lamouret. He is further survived by a brother, John McCrea of Oneonta, a sister, Patricia Mooney of Kingston and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers James Merritt and Joseph Edward and his sister, Alice. 

There will be a brief memorial service at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 25, 2022, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home, 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, with Fr. Kyle T. Grennan, Rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Cherry Valley, officiating. At the conclusion of the service, Military Honors will be accorded by members of the Cooperstown Veterans Club and the United State Navy Funeral Honors Team. Immediately following there will be a Celebration of George’s Life to be held at The Tryon Inn, 124 Main Street, Cherry Valley, at which all are invited to attend and share your memories with the family. 

In lieu of flowers, if you so wish, please consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. 

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.  

If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.
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