Richard J. Schoonmaker

Rome- Mr. Richard J. Schoonmaker, 96, of Wright Settlement Road, husband of Virginia and a former longtime resident of River St., Forestport, passed away on Monday, January 22, 2024, at Rome Health.

Richard was born in Saranac Lake, NY, on August 29, 1927, a son of Robert A. and Ada Blanche Rosebush Schoonmaker. He moved to Forestport, with his family and received his education at Forestport Central School. At the age of 17, Mr. Schoonmaker enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving his country in the Philippines in the Pacific Theater of WWII. He was honorably discharged on August 10, 1946, receiving the American Theatre Medal, Victory Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Medal.

After serving his country, Dick was employed as a taxi driver in New York City, before returning to Forestport. In 1950, he joined the Griffiss Air Force Base Police Force, protecting the Forestport Tower on the North Lake Road. In 1952, Mr. Schoonmaker began his long career in heavy infrastructure construction, working on the construction of the Griffiss Air Force Base runway in Rome. In 1953, he joined International Union Local # 545 (now # 158), of Operating Engineers of Syracuse, NY, where he was a heavy equipment and crane operator, working on the construction of the NYS Thruway, at Whitesboro, NY, in 1954, he worked on the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway, before working at the construction of the tunnel under Lake Ontario from the nuclear power plant in Oswego.

On April 19, 1962, Richard was united in marriage with Virginia Dowd, at Sue Saint Marie, MI, celebrating 61 years of a happy union in 2023.

Later, from 1961-1968, Mr. Schoonmaker was employed for Wickstrom, in construction of a river crossing on the St. Lawrence River, St. John’s River, in Florida, an Aurora, NC 90-foot dig test pit to find phosphate and Wrightsville Beach, NC beach reclamation.

In 1969, he and his brother, George founded a cement business in Remsen; in 1970, Dick sold his portion of the business to his brother. In 1970, he also founded a sanitation business and operated Forestport Landfill, until 1985. He also worked on high tension power lines which we see today across Utica, NY, and in Central New York.

In 1989, Mr. Schoonmaker retired from Local # 545 enjoyed spending summers in Forestport with his wife, playing golf and selling logs for lumber, and during the winters, the couple enjoyed living in Florida and he played golf. He loved and treasured the days and years spent with his wife, Virginia.

He was a member of The Forestport Presbyterian Church, Boonville-Uriel Masonic Lodge # 165, Boonville Loge of Elks # 2158 and a life member of Remsen Post V.F.W.

In addition to his loving wife, Virginia, he is survived by his grandchildren; Mark (Shelly) Zappavigna, Jamie (Joe) Ballard, David (Estraya) Marfone and Christina (Alex) Silvestry, several great grandchildren; and a son, Ricky (Debbie) Schoonmaker. He was predeceased by two sons; David and Jeffrey Schoonmaker; a daughter, Linda Zappavigna and a daughter, Michelle, who passed away as an infant. Also predeceased by two brothers, Edward and George Schoonmaker and by a sister, Betty Gouger.

His Funeral will be Friday, January 26, at 4:00 P.M. at Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville, where calling hours are also Friday from 2-4 P.M. Interment with military honors will be in the spring in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Forestport.