Richard L. "Dick" Baire

Richard L. 'Dick' Baire,

loving father, grandfather and brother

DUKE CENTER, Pa. - Richard L. Baire, of 881 Main St., passed way Monday (Oct. 28, 2024), surrounded by his loving family in South Carolina.

Dick was born Nov. 3, 1931, in Olean, N.Y., and was the son of Chester R. Baire Sr. and Alice Abdo Cole. Dick helped raise and protect his brother Max.

He met the love of his life and asked her to marry him. She said yes, but her father said, "Not until you graduate." So, with her help, six months later he finished school. On Feb. 3, 1951, in St. Mary's Church, he married Margaret L. "Nickey" Ducey, who predeceased him Dec. 6, 2021. He now rests in peace with the love of his life forever.

Dick started a self-employed business shining shoes at the age of eight years old in Olean. He worked many places in between including as a Metropolitan Insurance agent; Blue Bird Bus Company as transportation coordinator; Crosby Dairy delivery; the co-founder of Baire's Janitorial Service; and retired from Ethan Allen Furniture Company as a shipping manager in Eldred.

In his retirement, Dick could be found doing odd jobs for John Ash Cleaners, Blocking Hats and the Beef N' Barrell as maintenance.

Coming from a family of many he started his own family, devoting his life to taking care of them.

Dick was a life member of St. Joseph's Maronite Church. He helped take care of the priests that lived next door. He was a member of the Church Council and on the annual Planning Group for the Mahrajan Festival. Dick was a past president and Life Member of the Eagles Club of Olean; Scout Master for Troop 12, Boy Scouts of America, attending the first Woodstock Event in Canada; Kiwanis Club; and bingo inspector for the City of Olean.

Dick enjoyed many pasttimes, including mowing (everyday if possible), yard work, woodworking and fixing stuff. But the most important thing he enjoyed was his family and spending time with them. He would light up when his family was around and lived by a "family first" motto.

Dick coaching midget football, little league baseball and the St. Joseph's basketball team. He was Santas' special helper for many years (blizzards or not!).

Dick is survived by three children, Michael R. (Sandra Blatchley) Baire of Port Kent, Patricia M. (Ricky) Price of Duke Center and John C. (Laurie) Baire of Allegany, N.Y.; 11 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; seven great-great grandchildren; four siblings, Max Baire of Olean, Nancy (Dan) Babcock of Oklahoma, Chuck (Marcia) Baer of Olean and Bobby Baer of Virginia; a sister in-law, Sylvia Baer of Allegany; and many nieces and nephews.

Along with his loving wife, Nickey, Dick was predeceased by a son, Theodore Baire; his parents; daughter-in-law, Marcia Baire; two siblings, Darlene Kelly and Ronnie Baer; and three in-laws, Tom Kelly, Rochelle (Rocky) Baire and Paula Baer.

Friends will be received from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at the St. Bonaventure Church, at which time a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held. Burial will be in Allegany Cemetery.

His love for children showed through annually as he supported St Jude Children's Hospital for many years. All memorial contributions should be made, in his name, online or sent to St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 E. State St., Olean.

Online condolences may be made at www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com.