Obituary of Richard F Fowler

Richard Fitz "Fuzzy" Fowler, age 87, of Apalachin NY died at Ideal Senior Living Center on October 26, 2021 after an extended illness. Fuzzy is predeceased by his parents Anna and Fred Fowler, brothers Dean, Bill, Millard, and Sister Betty; granddaughter Stephanie, and nephew Gary. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jean (Bishop) Fowler; children Patrick Fowler (Michele), Cate Sirek, Terri Young (Scooter), Anne Fowler (Molly), Bobby Rosenkrans (JoAnn), Karen Monell, and Kevin Rosekrans (Sherry); grandchildren Barrett and Lukas Monell, Amber (Kris) Hontz, Brittany (Ben) Karpel, BJ (Maria) Rosenkrans, Lisa (Danny) Cook, Heather Young, Dustin (Cassie) Young, Meagan and Nicholas Fowler; ten great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Fuzzy was an Air Force Veteran, serving during the Korean War, and was a member of the American Legion and the Elks Club of Vestal where he has served as Chair of the Veteran's committee. He volunteered for Meals on Wheels since 1999 until the Coronavirus shut down the program. Fuzzy and Jean both loved participating and made many friends through the program – even saving the life of a client once. He was a member of the Apalachin United Methodist Church, and retired from IBM Corporation. Fuzzy was known for his contagious laugh and a smile that lit up the room. You couldn't set foot in any town from here to California without someone knowing his name. Fuzzy was a family man who enjoyed cooking and serving them prime rib dinner during the holidays, with a Manhattan on the side. He wasn't 100% Irish, but he sure celebrated like he was. He enjoyed St. Patrick's Day parades, and celebrated many other events as if it were an Irish event. He was an avid sportsman, enjoying golfing, bowling, fishing, hunting, and much more with his wife, children, grandchildren and friends. He was his grandkids biggest fan on the sidelines of any sport, at any activity or any school function. He never missed a beat for any one of them. His grandkids will forever remember Grandpa for letting them drive his truck as soon as their heads could see over the dash and their hands could grab the wheel (no… feet were not a requirement), letting them burn whatever they could find in the living room fireplace, and "hiding" his Playboys. The love this man had for everyone was evident and will be remembered by all of his family and friends. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Vestal Elks Lodge 2508 Veteran's Committee, 2071 Vestal Parkway, Vestal, NY. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Fuzzy's life at a viewing on Saturday, October 30, from 10 a.m.-noon with a service to follow at Coleman and Daniel Funeral Home, 6519 Route 434, Apalachin, NY. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery on Marshland Road, Apalachin. Vestal Elks Lodge 2508 will conduct a Lodge of Sorrows service 11:50 a.m. at the funeral home on Saturday.