RICHARD J. LAKER

Richard J. Laker, a longtime Montrose resident, died Tuesday at his home. He was 57. He was a retired programmer for IBM at Sterling Forest. Richard worked there for 30 years before retiring in 1995. He returned to IBM to do consulting work after his retirement. Mr. Laker was born in Newburgh on September 10, 1946, the son of John and Eleanor Cummin Laker. He graduated from Hendrick Hudson High School in 1964. He then served in the US Air Force, during the Vietnam Era. On July 31, 1971, he married Patricia French at Holy Innocents Church in Pleasantville. Richard was a life member of the Cortlandt Engine Co., and the Cortlandt Youth Football Touchdown Club. He enjoyed playing golf and bowling, having bowled in the same league for 30 years. Survivors include his wife Patricia of Montrose; his mother Eleanor DePaolo of Montrose; his sons Michael of Montrose and Steven of Croton; and a brother Kenneth of Yardley, PA. The Funeral Mass for Richard is Saturday at 10 AM at St. Christopher's Church. Friends may call on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at EDWARD F. CARTER FUNERAL HOME, 170 Kings Ferry Rd., Montrose (www.efcarter.com). Private Cremation will follow. Donations may be made to the Kenneth J. Byrnes Memorial Scholarship Fund, and may be sent to the funeral home for forwarding to the Touchdown Club.