Richard W. Machia

Sergeant Richard W. Machia passed away at home on Friday, March 17, 2017. He was born in Enosburg, VT on March 27, 1932 to Clarence and Leona (LaMonda) Machia. He was a resident of Franklin, VT when he was called into the Army. He served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars from July 17, 1950 to October 31, 1974. He was an instructor at the United States Military Academy at West Point from 1959-1960 and taught Shop Management and Tank Gunnery. After retiring from the Army, he worked in Georgia doing air conditioning and refrigeration. For a short time in Saudi Arabia he taught their army tank gunnery. Richard was predeceased by his brothers, Meredith (Buster) Machia, Wendell Machia and Garland Machia; as well as two sisters, Leta Downing and Elizabeth (Betty) Touchette. He is survived by his sister, Norma Jean Richer of Sun Lakes, AZ; his brother, Conrad Machia of Milford, NH; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral Services with Military Honors for Richard will be Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at 1 p.m. at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville, NY. In lieu of flowers for Richard, contributions can be made in his memory to the Steve Caporizzo Pet Connection. The family would like to share a poem: God's Garden God looked around his garden And found an empty place, He then looked down upon the earth, And saw your tired face. He put his arms around you, And lifted you to rest. God's garden must be beautiful, He always takes the best. He knew that you were suffering, He knew you were in pain. He knew that you would never, Get well on earth again. He saw the road was getting rough, And the hills were tough to climb, So he closed your weary eyelids, And whispered "Peace be thine." It breaks our hearts to lose you, But you didn't go alone, For part of us went with you, The day God called you home.