Obituary of Richard Amos Mousaw

GOUVERNEUR- Richard A. Mousaw, age 88, of Gouverneur, passed away on Wednesday, November 21, 2012 at his home under the loving care of his family and St. Lawrence Valley Hospice. Calling hours will be on Saturday, November 24, 2012 from 2-4 p.m. at French Funeral Home, Gouverneur with a prayer service following at 4:00 p.m. with Pastor James Meola officiating. Online condolences may be made to www.frenchfuneralhomes.com. Richard was born on September 6, 1924 in Canton, NY to the late Henry and Violet (LaLone) Mousaw. He attended Canton School. In 1943 he entered into the United States Army and served during WWII until his honorable discharge in 1946. During his service to our country he received the American Service Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. Richard married Carol Carpenter in 1949. That marriage ended in divorce. He married Erlene Conklin on May 28, 1976 in Old Dekalb. Prior to his retirement, Dick was a military bus driver at Fort Drum. He was previously a bus driver for LaForty and Hermon-Dekalb Central School. He also drove tractor trailer for several different companies over the years. He was a member of the Gouverneur VFW and enjoyed collecting cars. Surviving is his wife, Erlene of Gouverneur; two daughters and their spouses, Patricia and Michael Abbott of Liberty, NY and Suzanne Binion-Wilke and Randy Wilke of Helena, MT; two sons and their spouses, Andrew and Lois Mousaw of Henrietta, NY and Scott and Cindy Mousaw of Canton; two step daughters, Sandra Given of Richville and Linda and Joseph Girard of Gouverneur; a step son, Robert W. Kulp Jr. of Stewarts Town, PA; a brother, Ralph Mousaw of Ottawa; a sister Beverly Bice of Canton; 17 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Richard is predeceased by a step son, Randy A. Kulp and a brother, Henry "Ray" Mousaw. Donations may be made in Richard's memory to St. Lawrence Valley Hospice, 6805 US Hwy. 11, Potsdam, NY 13676.