Obituary of Richard A. Thaler

Vernon-Richard (Dick) Arnold Thaler, age 85, of Vernon, NY died Thursday evening, September 29, 2022 in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his family, after valiantly fighting liver cancer caused by Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina watering poisoning.

  Dick was the son of the late Charles and Mildred Thaler of Oriskany, NY.

  He was proud of serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving from 1956-1959, having achieved the rank of Sergeant.

  Dick spent forty-three years at the National Bank of Vernon, retiring in 1999 as President and CEO. He retired as Chairman of the Board in 2006.

  He enjoyed playing tenor banjo with the Norton Street Strummers for twenty years, entertaining at different venues for over a four county area. Then he played Bluegrass as a former member of the Mohawk Valley Bluegrass Association. He loved boating, having built two boats with his late brother, Jerry. His favorite passion was fishing for trout with the homemade flies.

  In 1958, he married Doris Gifford in the United Methodist Church, Vernon, NY, officiated by the Rev. Frederick Cook.

  Dick was a sixty year member of Sconondoa-Sherrill Lodge F&AM # 814 in Vernon where he served as Master of the Lodge in 1968.

  He leaves his wife Doris, his son Christopher (Joann) who lives in Calcutta, Ohio, and his daughter Pene Thaler Dutton (David), who lives in Melbourne, Florida. Also leaves three wonderful grandchildren he loved dearly, Eric Thaler (Anna) of Cedar Hill, Tenn., Justin Thaler (Jody) of Calcutta, Ohio, and his granddaughter Katrina Dutton of Melbourne, Fla., also a great-granddaughter Avery of Calcutta, Ohio. He loved to go and watch his grandsons play football at Beaver Local High School in Calcutta, Ohio. He also did great things with his granddaughter Katrina.

  He leaves two brothers, Charles Thaler of Clinton and Barry Thaler (Andrea) of Rome. He leaves a sister-in-law Rita Webster (Reg) of Verona. Along with the survivors he leaves sisters-in-law Kelly Thaler of Oriskany and Randi Thaler of Floyd and many nieces and nephews.

   He was predeceased by sisters, Shirley (Thaler) Chapman, Doris (Thaler) Smith, and brothers Donald Thaler and Gerald Thaler.

  He would like to like to thank Dr. Harry Capone for all he did. Dr. Roberto Martinez, Dr. William Lindsey, Dr. Jerry Love, and more he can’t recall.   

  Calling hours will be at the Malecki Funeral Home, 23 Front Street, Vernon  on Wednesday October 5, 2022 from 3:00 to 6:000 p.m. and the funeral service will be held  on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church with Rev. Robert Wollaber officiating, located at 551 Sayles Street, Oneida, NY. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Vernon, NY following the funeral.

  Contributions in Dick’s name may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Hospital Research Hospital, Shriners Children’s Hospital or Hospice and Palliative Care.

  I want to thank all those that helped and supported me; I would like to end by saying. “I love you so very much” and am glad you are finally at peace.