Obituary of Richard John Lees

Age 72. April 14, 1945 - December 6, 2017. Long time resident of Utica. Passed away peacefully at home along side his wife Diane of 54 years. Dear father of Shelley (Glen) Spence and Sheila (Brian) Emenheiser. Beloved grandfather of Gilead (Anne) along with upcoming great grandson Eliazar "Zar", Samuel, Nathaniel, Naomi, Samantha and Jessica. Guardian of Harry Harrington. Richard was especially gifted at fixing small engines, particularly lawn mowers. He was so well known that he just answered the Phone-"Richard, the lawn mower guy." Richard was also a deer hunter and fisherman; while enjoying their up north property he would fish the nearby lake. He loved to provide his family with a fresh catch of fish and would clean the fish very effective and efficiently. No bones were ever found in his fillets!! Richard was also very generous. He gave away his homemade beef jerky, pumpkin seeds, pickles and salsa to all his friends and customers. Another interest was cultivating his vegetable garden. Of course, he gave those away too.