Richard A. Tompkins Sr. of Downsville passed away Sept. 6, 2025, at Delaware Valley Hospital, following a short illness. He was 89 years old.
Richard was born on July 10, 1936 in the town of Colchester to John Tompkins and Isabell Croop. Richard grew up on the family farm on Telford Hollow, Hamden. He also attended a one-room schoolhouse on Telford Hollow.
Richard worked on the family farm on Telford Hollow. He hauled logs with horses and he hauled canned milk from Telford Hollow and Fall Clove to the Hamden and Andes creameries. He worked at the sawmill in Downsville for a short time. He worked for the NYSDOT for 27 years, first as a laborer, then went to highway equipment operator- truck driver. He spent many snowy nights plowing state route 30 around the Pepacton Reservoir. He was also a great beekeeper for many years and sold his delicious honey. He also worked in the stone quarry cutting bluestone with his son Doug for many years, and plowed snow privately for many individuals.
Richard married Marylyn Louise Gorsch from Andes on Dec. 21, 1957 in Downsville. They had four children: Connie Sue, Linda Rae, Douglas Scott, and Richard Allen Jr.
Richard was known to be a kind, quiet, easy to get along with, hardworking man. He loved hunting with his brother Westley, friend Fran, his sons and grandsons. He shot his last big 8-point buck when he was a young 78 yrs old. He was happy puttering in his yard, gardening, flowers, shoveling snow, cutting and stacking firewood and building his many wheelbarrow planter boxes. He also loved to gather everyone’s nickel cans to cash them in.
Richard started sharing his life with his “sweetie” Cindy Craft Kilmer, their dog Honey Girl, and cat Bella. He loved to take his dog Freckles and Cindy’s dog Honey Girl for rides in his truck (separately of course). He enjoyed hauling hay and animal food for his son Doug’s many animals, plus he loved his sweets and soda.
He will be deeply missed as he was very witty, loved, admired and respected by everyone he met and knew.
Richard was predeceased by his parents John Tompkins and Isabell Croop Tompkins, his beloved wife Marylyn (Gorsch) Tompkins, a brother Westley E. Tompkins, a sister Charlotte (Tompkins) Barnhart, a sister Irene (Tompkins) Warfield and a grandson Cameron Tompkins.
He is survived by his loving family, his children Connie (Tompkins) Watson (Alan), Linda (Tompkins) Walley (Richard), Douglas Tompkins, Richard A. Tompkins Jr., (Jennifer), a brother Theodore (Ted) Tompkins, a brother Donald Tompkins, twin brothers Gordon Tompkins and Glenn Tompkins, many cousins, grandchildren and great- grandchildren.
Calling hours will be held Monday, Sept. 22 at the Courtney Funeral Home, Walton, from 11-1 p.m. Services will begin at 1 p.m. with Pastor Christine Lindeburg officiating, burial to follow at Paige Cemetery in Downsville.
