Richard Lonzinski

RICHARD LONZINSKI OBITUARY

When Maya Angelou said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel,” she surely was thinking about Rick Lonzinski. Voted People’s Choice for The Most Popular Man on Campus, Rick always had a great way of making you feel welcomed, comfortable, accepted, and just plain happy in his presence.  And who could not be taken in by that great smile of his?

        Rick (Richard Julian) was born on a beautiful autumn day, September 30, 1950, in Binghamton, NY.  He is predeceased by his parents, Alice (Killips) Lonzinski and Julius Lonzinski, his sister, Cheryl Abbott, his sister-in-law, Louise (Dolly) Lonzinski, his nephew, Eddie Lonzinski, and his mother- and father-in-law, Miriam and Richard Neville.  Several dear friends have also predeceased him, and they have happily welcomed Rick to their never-ending party of plentiful libations, great food, good music, and hearty laughs.

        Rick is survived by his  loving wife and supportive partner in all things, René Neville, his brother, Michael Lonzinski, his sister-in law Sheila Neville (Michelle Bartholomew), and his brother-in-law, Clint Neville (Pamela Sanderhoff). Six beautiful nieces, two wonderful nephews, and several caring great nieces and nephews also survive him.

        A graduate from Blue Ridge High School, New Milford, PA, and SUNY Broome, Binghamton, NY, Rick had  a degree in systems software engineering.  For the majority of his career, he was employed by the Raymond Corporation (Greene, NY) as an embedded systems software engineer.  In August of 1998, Rick and his project team were awarded U.S. Patent #5,791,440 for their work in designing a speed limiting method and safety apparatus for lift trucks.  Never one for pomp and ceremony, the patent plaque currently resides on the wall behind the washing machine in the basement.

        Fishing poles, golf clubs, bowling balls, and tennis racquets were frequently found in Rick’s hands, and he thoroughly enjoyed these sports with his many friends.  He thought of fish as noble foes, delighting in the catching and releasing of them amid the beauty of a gentle stream, peaceful river, or placid pond or lake.  His golf game included fun league partnerships, friendly impromptu rounds, many mulligans and zulicks, and THREE hole-in-ones.    

        Throughout Rick’s life, the camaraderie shared between his friends on the bowling lanes was one of brotherhood and kinship.  In his many years of bowling, Rick achieved nine 300 games, many 700 series, and three 800 series (808, 803, 846), the last of which set the record for Valley Lanes in Great Bend, PA. In the summer, if a tennis racquet was in his hand, Rick, Andy, Uncle Bud, and Mayor Mike looked forward to replenishing their lost body fluids at the end of their matches with plenty of Vitamin B(eer) which led to the release of Vitamin P(ee).   

        Rick’s penchant for nature, hiking, and picnics that he shared with his wife and life partner, René, are among some of the fondest memories and best times that René will forever remember of the magnificent life they shared together.  The singular beauty of each trail traversed in life always brought Rick and René closer as they continued to discover, learn, admire, and inspire each other.  And now an invisible thread, one that will never break but will only grow stronger with each passing year, serves to connect them and their amazing memories.  Indeed, perhaps the loveliest words in any language are “remember the time…”

        A gathering of family and friends at 1:00pm followed by a 2:00pm Celebration of Life (and Love!) Performance will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Centenary-Chenango Street United Methodist Church, 438 Chenango Street, Binghamton, NY.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift donation to one’s charity of choice in Rick’s name.  Family and friendship means no one gets left behind or forgotten…Rick will always be with us. Please sign his guestbook at www.HEFUNENERALHOME.com

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