Mr. Richard A.F. Pearson , Sr.

Richard A.F. Pearson Sr., 72, of the Tacey Rd., Merrill died Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at his home. Born in Bronx, NY on March 19, 1943, he was the son of Herbert and Victoria (Jinks) Pearson. They predeceased him. He was married to Kathleen Cassetta on January 16, 1965 in Our Lady of Assumption, Emerson, NJ. Mr. Pearson enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1959 serving in the Cuban Crisis and was honorably discharged in 1964. He was employed by the Harrington Park Police Dept. in Harrington Park, NJ and retired as Captain. While in New Jersey, he was a communicant of Our Lady of Victories, a eucharistic minister and member of the parish council. He was a member of the Lions Club and American Legion in Harrington Park, NJ. He was also a member of the Fatal Accident Investigative Team, NJ Safety Council, NJ Traffic Organization, and 2nd Marine Corps Organization. He started and was the first president of the Local 233 PBA. Mr. Pearson was also a member of both the NJ and NY Governor's Traffic Safety Councils as well as both the NJ and New York City Honor Legions. He was part of the detail that escorted Gen. Douglas McArthur's remains during his funeral. He was a mentor and aided several future law enforcement officers. After moving to the north country, Mr. Pearson became a communicant of St. Patrick's Church and served as eucharistic minister. He was a member of of the Chateaugay Knights of Columbus, Malone Rotary, Chateaugay American Legion, and the Franklin County Traffic Safety Board. He was employed by Brian McKee as an accident investigator and taught students about automobile safety for Northway AAA and NJ AAA. He served as councilman for 3 years and supervisor for 2 years for the Town of Ellenburg and wrote many grants for them. He was an advocate of alternative energy including wind mills and solar panels. Mr. Pearson is survived by his wife of 50 years; a son, Richard Pearson Jr. of Teaneck, NJ; a daughter and son-in-law, Victoria and John H. Simpson of Harrington Park, NJ; a granddaughter, Kristina L. Simpson of Harrington Park, NJ; a brother and sister-in-law, John and Lynn Pearson of Greenwich, CT; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Judie Martens and her spouse, Michael Spohn of Port St. Lucie, FL; Barbara and Joseph Kramer of Merrill. Calling hours will be held at the Chateaugay Funeral Home on Saturday, May 23 from 11 am to 1 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 1:30 pm in St. Patrick's Church with Rev. John Looby officiating.

Mr. Richard A.F. Pearson , Sr.

March 19, 1943 - May 20, 2015