Obituary of Lawrence Richard Conklin

May 21, 1924 – July 15, 2014 Montgomery, NY L. Richard Conklin of Montgomery, NY passed away on Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at Orange Regional Hospital in Middletown, NY after a blessed and fulfilling 90 years. Known to many as Richard and beloved by family as Papa Dink, the son of the late Lawrence J. and Lila Frances Blake Conklin was born on May 21, 1942 in Maybrook, NY. Richard bravely served in the United States Army-Air Force in the South Pacific during World War II and had been often asked throughout his veteran years to speak on his experiences, including his participation on the first Honor flight with fellow WWII veterans which he had stated as one of the best experiences of his life. After returning from service, he was married to the lasted Jennie Tompkins Conklin, about whom you could frequently catch him uttering, “She was the best thing that ever happened to me.” They were happily married for 62 years until her passing. Richard was a baseball lover and longtime Yankees fan, as well as an avid gardener and daily journalist who kept a record of his day-to-day occurrences as a memoir to leave behind for his loved ones. Above all, he loved spending time with his family more than anything. Richard made it known that he lived a life with “no regrets” and is admired by all those he touched. He was predeceased by his sisters: Roberta “Roby” Petzold and Elizabeth Panaro. Richard is survived by his son, Lawrence J. Conklin and companion, Sandy Cervini of Montgomery, NY; brother, A. Bradley Conklin of Maybrook, NY; grandchildren: Melodee J. Conklin Kelly and husband, Joe of Montgomery, NY, Michael L. Conklin and wife, Jennifer of Town of Montgomery, NY and Lawrence R. “Buddy” Conklin of Walden, NY; great grandchildren: Emily Conklin, Noah Conklin, McCullen Conklin, Isabelle Kelly, and Liam Kelly; daughter-in-law, Vickie VanDermolen and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Graveside Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 18th at Brick Church Cemetery, Rte. 17K, Montgomery, NY. Contributions may be made to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY.