Obituary of Richard Arthur Grounds

Loudonville - Richard A. Grounds, Sr., 76, died Friday, April 15, 2016 at the Community Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital. Born in Albany, Richard was the son of the late William and Geraldine Tracey Grounds. He was a graduate of South Colonie High School where he enjoyed playing the Tenor Saxophone. He then went on to receive his Bachelors Degree from SUNY Oswego. Richard spent his working career as an Industrial Arts Teacher, retiring from the Margaretville Central School District. He enjoyed cruises, vacations with his family and especially time spent at his camp on the Great Sacandaga Lake. Richard was the husband of Ruth Carol Byer Grounds; father of Debra Ziaja (Mark) of Adams, MA and Richard A. Grounds, Jr. (Jennifer) of Earlton, NY; grandfather of Malina Ziaja, Anelia Ziaja, Julia Grounds and Jacob Grounds; and brother of the late William Grounds. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at the Reilly & Son Funeral Home, Colonie. Burial will be at Memory’s Garden Cemetery. Friends may also visit at the funeral home Wednesday from 10 - 11 a.m., prior to the service. Richard’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the caregivers who have been a big part of Richard and Ruth’s lives over the past several years. Those who wish may make donations in his memory to the Halcottsville Fire Department, PO Box 97, Halcottsville, NY 12438.