At Tuesday’s meeting of the Seneca Falls Town Board, Supervisor Ferrara honored one of her citizens, retired U.S. Army Specialist Richard C. Laude, with a proclamation upon his 90th birthday.
Proclamation
WHEREAS, The Village of Seneca Falls welcomed the birth of Richard C. “Dick Laude to parents Christian and Mary Fitzsimmons on April 10, 1933; and
WHEREAS, The Laudes’ raised their four children in Seneca Falls and saw Dick attend St. Patrick’s Catholic School and later graduate from Mynderse Academy’s Class of 1951; and
WHEREAS, Soon after graduation, Dick enlisted in the United States Army to serve in the Korean War, where he was stationed at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, then transferring to the 82nd Airborne briefly, before serving the remainder of his career with the 328th Communications Reconnaissance Company in Germany; and
WHEREAS, Upon his discharge from service, he was gainfully employed at Goulds Pumps Manufacturing for 47 years; and
WHEREAS, During that time, Dick met the love of his life Arlene A. Pezzulo and on April 2, 1959, they were united in marriage having celebrated sixty years as husband and wife while raising their two children, Brian, and Kyle; and
WHEREAS, His love of golf began as a young boy often hitchhiking to the Seneca Falls Country Club to fulfill his position as a caddy, and since 1951, Dick has been a dedicated member of the club for 72 years, and has served as financial adviser for the past 53 years, and having served as President for a time; and
WHEREAS, As a community member, Dick has always enjoyed helping people and giving back to the community which has embraced him for 90 years, and over the many decades, he has volunteered his time for such organizations as the former Village of Seneca Falls events, Bridgeport Fire Commission; Seneca County Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program; Special Olympics New York; United Way; and
WHEREAS, Dick further served as a founding board member of the Seneca Museum of Waterways and Industry and the 150th anniversary celebration of the Seneca Falls Women’s Rights Convention of 1848; he also was a Board Member of Seneca Falls Historical Society and Boy Scout Council; Financial Adviser, Creative Choices Child Care Center; and Treasurer, Family Counseling of the Finger Lakes; and
WHEREAS, The communities around Dick have expressed their appreciation of his support over the years, having honored him with several awards including ‘United Way’s Volunteer of the Year’ (2006); ‘George Bailey Award’ (2012); ‘New York State Senate Resolution’ (2012); and
WHEREAS, In recognition of his honorable and selfless service to our country, Dick was appointed to the ‘New York State Veterans Hall of Fame’ in 2020 by New York Senator Pamela Helming, 54th District; and
WHEREAS, Dick is a fan of the film “It’s A Wonderful Life” which shares a heartfelt message conveyed which could be a call tag for Dick’s life- the little things we do make a big difference and how wonderful a life he has led.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Michael J. Ferrara, Town Supervisor of the Town of Seneca Falls, New York, on behalf of the Town Board, do honor Mr. Richard C. Laude for his long standing service to Seneca Falls and its citizens, and hereby proclaim April 10th as,
Richard C. “Dick” Laude Day
in the Town of Seneca Falls, and encourage all citizens to observe this day by giving back to their community through volunteering and engaging civic action that has limitless possibilities to transform an entire community.
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