Richard J. Lewis, lll

A longtime resident of Delmar, New York, Richard J Lewis III passed away on May 2, 2024 in Naples, Florida at the age of 90.  

The son of Richard J. Lewis Jr. and Emily E. Gunderman, Richard J Lewis III was born in Albany, New York, on July 21, 1933. At the age of three months, he became the youngest Deputy Sheriff in the United States when his grandfather, Albany County Sheriff Richard J. Lewis, appointed him as a Deputy Sheriff in Albany County.

A 1951 graduate of Milne School, Richard studied at Northeastern University before graduating from Siena College in 1959.

Richard initially followed in his father’s footsteps as a Turf Writer and Handicapper for the Albany Times Union where he covered the five local tracks at the time: Saratoga Race Course, Vermont’s Green Mountain Park, Massachusetts’ Berkshire Downs Race Track, Vermont’s Green Mountain Harness Track and Saratoga’s Harness Track, where he was named top handicapper three times, before embarking on a career in politics, serving as a Spokesman for New York’s highest court,  the State Court of Appeals,  and later becoming the Deputy Director of Communications for the New York State Senate, from which he retired in 1993. 

After retirement, Richard served part-time for two Supervisors in the Town of Bethlehem, where he was also a member of the Town Zoning Board.

Richard spent his retirement years in Naples, Florida, with his grandchildren and family.  He was an avid horse racing fan throughout his life, and often helped friends and family pick winners.

Richard was predeceased by his wife of 47 years, Heidimarie, and is survived by three children, R. Erik, Peter J. (Kerry) and Kristin A. (Scott) Mello and four grandchildren, Kyle and Dylan Mullan and Elli and Everett Lewis.

A graveside inurnment service will be held 9:30am Friday, May 31, 2024 at Calvary Cemetery in Glenmont.  Relatives and friends are welcome to gather at the Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave. Delmar between 8:30 and 9:00 to process to the cemetery.