Richard Meacham

Richard Meacham was born on April 1, 1943, in Harlem, New York. He was the first of five children from the union of his parents, the late Vons Hindenburg Meacham and Inez Agnes Holloway Meacham.

Richard was educated in the NYC Public Schools and graduated from Charles Evans Hughes High School in 1961. He shared fond memories of growing up in Lincoln Projects with his three brothers, Albert Wallace, Stanley Erwin, and Vons Allen, affectionately known as the "Brothers" and "The Meacham Boys." Gizelle came along later as the nurturer the family needed.

In December 1962, Richard married the late Marie Magwood, and from that union, the "Three D's" (Denice, Debra, and Donna) were born. Together they instilled in their girls the importance of respect, hard work, and family.

Richard loved all sports, including basketball, baseball, track and field, and boxing, but he was most passionate about riding his bike (The Grey Ghost). He, along with his brother and friends rode their pedal bikes from New York to Washington DC, in the 1980's long before that became a popular "more guided" thing to do.

Richard provided for his family as a train conductor for the New York City Transit Authority before becoming a NYC Transit Police Officer. He later worked with his brother Wallace at the Party Riders Bicycle Store, while doing seasonal work for the U.S. Postal Service. The Party Riders Bicycle Store was a place not just to buy and repair bikes, but a place for family and friends to gather. He became the assistant office manager at Cohn & Wolfe and later retired from Sherman and Sterling.

In retirement he enjoyed time with his family, cherishing the regular breakfast gatherings with his brothers, watching his favorite TV shows (which is ironic given he always chastised his daughters for watching the idiot box when they were school aged), and spending time with his long-time companion, Joan Edwards.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents Vons and Inez Meacham, friend and former wife Marie Magwood, his long-time companion Joan Edwards, his son-in-law Herb Fenner and sister-in-law, Carrie (Tootsie) Meacham. He leaves to cherish his fond memories daughters, Denice Meacham Paige (Leroy), Debra Fenner, and Donna Meacham Blackman (Kirk); Grandchildren, Richard Deas (Brittany), Marie Meacham, Ryan Paige, Tiffany Fenner, Ashley Fenner, Felicia Paige, Simone Blackman, and Donovan Blackman. Great-Grandchildren, Jahlil, Milan, Isaiah, Jace, Peyton, Paris, Asaiah, and Phoenix; Siblings, Albert Wallace (Barbara), Stanley Erwin, Vons Allen (Deborah), Gizelle, and a host of cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.