Richard Edward Syphax

He was the son of Richard Edward Syphax and Lavinia Naomi Burke Syphax. He is survived by his two daughters, Rhonda Helen Syphax and Carolyn Jo Syphax; his granddaughter Merci; and his great-granddaughter Aurelia.

Richard held the noble job of teacher most of his life. He was employed at New York City Elementary Schools and the State University of New York at Albany. He became a role-model to the mostly Black and Brown second grade students he served. Every day he wore a sports jacket, slacks and tie to school. It reflected his self-respect, and his stated intent to show the children they deserved dignity. He often stressed within his family his own educational dreams for them.

Richard had the loudest laugh in a room. He loved jazz and the blues, and shared stories of going to clubs and seeing the greats: Miles Davis, Thelonius Monk, and his favorite, the most bawdy of blues singers, Alberta Hunter.

He was deeply involved in his Brooklyn neighborhood Democratic block association, as president and vice president, for a total of eight years.

At his core, Richard lived for his family. He was sole care-taker for his two daughters for nine years, and took responsibility for his mother’s wellbeing for eight. Richard was a strong father figure to his two daughters, granddaughter, and great-grand daughter, all of whom he deeply cherished and who deeply cherished him.

In lieu of flowers or donations please sit with friends and family and enjoy some loud hearty belly laughs, in remembrance of a man who could belly laugh with the best of them.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home, 20 Church St., Saranac Lake, NY 12983.