Obituary of Richard L. Groff

Richard L. Groff, 90, longtime resident of Adams, died Wednesday evening September 14, 2016 at the Morningstar Residential Care Center, Oswego, NY.  Calling hours will be 2-4 and 6-8 pm Monday at the Piddock Funeral Home, Adams.  Memorial service will be 11:00 am Tuesday at the funeral home, with Rev. Terry Alford, pastor of the Smithville Baptist Church officiating.  Burial will follow with military honors in the Elmwood Cemetery, Adams. There will be a reception immediately following the burial held at the American Legion Rounds Post 586, 10 South Main Street, Adams, NY. Born November 28, 1925 in Sackets Harbor, son of William and Clara (Harwood) Groff, he attended school in Sackets Harbor.  He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1944, serving in the Atlantic and Pacific aboard the Liberty Ship.   Following his discharge in 1946, Dick worked at numerous jobs and operated the Atlantic Gas Station in Adams with Jim Pratt.  He was also a mechanic at the South Jefferson Central School bus garage retiring in 1988 after 21 years.  He then drove truck for Bruce Thomas and the Village of Adams. He married June Darling of Watertown on February 15, 1952 in Sackets Harbor.  The couple lived in Adams the majority of their married life.  Mrs. Groff died October 24, 2006. Surviving are two sons, Richard L. and husband Jim Groff, West Monroe, Gary G. and wife Nikki Groff, Pierrepont Manor; three daughters, Linda S. and husband David Richardson, Peru, NY, Joy G. and husband Dale Besaw, Adams Center, Bonnie G. and husband Peter Towles, Lorraine; ten grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren; two brothers, JamesGroff, Adams, Larry Groff, Lake Havasu, AZ; one sister Dorothy Pearson, Pierrepont Manor, and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by three brothers, Robert, William and Charles; and two sisters, Arlene Kellar and Helen Lowe. Dick was a life member of the South Jefferson VFW 5344, Adams, a member of the Harold Townsend American Legion Post 1757, Sackets Harbor and the Don Rounds American Legion Post 586, Adams. Donations in his memory may be made to the Elmwood Cemetery, PO Box 23, Adams, NY 13605.