Richard P. Rutland Sr.

COLONIE, NY – Richard P. Rutland Sr., 83, passed away peacefully in his home on Thursday, September 27, 2018, surrounded by his family.

Son of the late Henry and Margaret Rutland, Dick graduated from Albany Academy in 1954, and lived his whole life in Colonie.  After graduation, Dick served his country in the United States Army as a lineman in Germany.  When he returned home, he worked beside his father and brothers at the family lumberyard.  In the mid 80’s, Dick left the lumber business and began a career with the Town of Colonie Building Department, retiring in 1999.  Through each step, Dick turned coworkers into good friends and became well respected in his community.

Family was Dick’s favorite interest, but when he wasn’t with them, he filled his time in a number of ways.  As a member of the United States Power Squadron, Dick was an instructor of Navigation and rose through the ranks as Commander of the Mohawk-Hudson chapter, District Commander of D2, and Vice Commander of their National Treasury Department.  When on the water, Dick was the captain, cook, and chief mechanic of the “Mrs. Jones”.  Dick also had a great family knowledge of carpentry, which he used to help countless friends, his children, and grandchildren turn their houses into homes.  In between all of this, he loved to spend time puttering in his workshop on Rutland Ave.

Dick is survived by his wife and partner of 62 years, Elizabeth (Boehlke), without her he would not have been the man he was, his children, Robin Olsen (James); Michele Rutland-Broderick (John); Kimberly Kosinski (Daniel); and Richard Rutland Jr. (Tara), his grandchildren, Jillian McCrea (Daniel); Adam Olsen (Brianna); Brittany Geddes (Thomas); Alex Arsenault; AJ Broderick (Emalee); Alaina Bauer (Rich); Joshlyn Romano; Jessica Rutland; Jack Rutland; Isabella Diaz, and nine greatgrandchildren.

Dick and Betty filled their lives with family and friends.  If you were fortunate to be one of them, Calling Hours will be Tuesday from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Cannon Funeral Home, 2020 Central Avenue in Colonie. Funeral services will be Wednesday morning at 10:00 am at Cannon Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to Cancer Research Institute, 55 Broadway, Suite 1802 NY, NY 10006 (www.cancerresearch.org) to fund preventative research or The Community Hospice Foundation, 310 South Manning Blvd, Suite 114, Albany, NY 12208, to support the people who helped Dick in his final weeks. To leave a message of condolence for the family or to order flowers, visit www.CannonFuneral.com