Richard J. Fuss

QUEENSBURY Richard J. Fuss, 74, formerly of Glens Falls and Hudson Falls, died on Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007, after a lifetime battle with schizophrenia and depression. In a search for an answer to life and a cure for his illness, Mr. Fuss tried family, education, religion, very advanced education, astrology and metaphysics. He was born the fourth son of Fred R. and Lillian (Haight) Fuss at 11 Central Ave., in Glens Falls. Mr. Fuss was a former teacher and librarian. At the time of his graduation from Skidmore College in 1955, he was on the dean's list and won the Wall Street Journal Student Achievement Award for Excellence in Investments, a national honor. He won the General Electric Economic Fellowship Award, which provided for tuition, books and a weekly stipend at Union College to study macro and microeconomics, including national income accounting. He was always very grateful to the General Electric Corporation. This award was given to 40 junior and senior high social studies teachers in private, parochial and public schools in ten states. After this he decided not to accept any more earthly honors. He worked at New York State Library and the Library of Congress Depository in Albany. Mr. Fuss earned two masters degrees. For many years, he was a former member of many state, national and international learned societies. Mr. Fuss was a founder and served as a trustee of the Berne Free Library in Berne, N.Y., until 1964, where he used to teach. He was a former national patron of the Metropolitan Opera Company and supported The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn., for many years. He was a former member of the Glens Falls Hospital Foundation, Kiwanis International and Playboy clubs. He gave many small gifts of money to many charities. Mr. Fuss and some others gave bricks and stones over a 30-year period for the completion of the Washington National Cathedral in the 1980s, even though the politicians and billionaires promised it many times before. This fulfilled George Washington's dream for a great church for national purposes. The Mormon Genealogy Society traced his line to Hegekih, Ancient King of Judah. A Catholic priest told Mr. Fuss that he was a decedent of St. Joseph through the gospel of Matthew. He could trace his lineage to St. Joseph and Mr. Fuss was very proud of his Pagan, Jewish, Christian-Jewish and Christian ancestors, especially his marvelous parents and his faithful sister, Shirley Collins and her husband, the late Robert Collins. Three brothers, William Fuss, Edward Fuss and Frederick Fuss, and one sister, Lois Wildey, predeceased Mr. Fuss. Survivors include his brothers and sisters, Margaret Lohret, Shirley Collins, Donald Fuss, Carol Esner and Roger Fuss; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. A graveside service will be conducted at 11:30 a.m., on Monday, Oct. 22, 2007, at Pine View Cemetery with Deacon William Bazinet, officiating. Per the wishes of Mr. Fuss, there will be no calling hours. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Activities Fund of The Stanton Nursing and Rehabilitation Centre, 152 Sherman Ave., Queensbury, NY 12804 or the SPCA of Upstate New York, P. O. Box 171, Hudson Falls, NY 12839. Arrangements are under the direction of Regan & Denny Funeral Home, 53 Quaker Road, Queensbury.