Richard L. "Dick" Sears

Richard L. (Dick) Sears, 86, of Utica, New York, passed away peacefully with his wife, Carol, by his side, on February 11, 2026, at Eastern Star Home. He was surrounded by the love of his family in his final days.

Born on April 16, 1939 in Utica, Richard was the son of Regina and George Sears. Richard was a graduate of Utica Free Academy, Class of 1957, and later continued his education at Mohawk Valley Community College. He was married to Carol Pittman in March 1959 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Utica, a union that was a source of deep love and great joy throughout his life.

Richard worked as the lead mechanic at the FX Matt Brewing Company for 45 years, where he took great pride in his work, demonstrating his dedication, skill, and strong work ethic. He was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church where, in later years, his family was known to take up an entire pew at Sunday mass. Richard was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying everything that nature had to offer, including hunting, fishing, hiking, sailing and skiing with his friends and family in and around the Adirondacks. Richard was also a passionate Syracuse basketball and football fan and was proud to have been a formidable athlete in football at UFA during his high school years.

Richard is survived by his wife Carol, of Oriskany, his six children Dr. Richard L. Sears, Jr., DDS (Dorothy) of Boonville, Theresa (Roy) VanGennep of Leesburg, FL, Rebecca (Timothy) Burkey of Fairport, Mary Beth (Joseph) DeVito of Fairport, Jeffrey (Kimberly) Sears of New Hartford, and Dr. Lisa Sears-Michel, DDS,(Robert) of Whitesboro, as well as 21 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Richard is also survived by his brother Daniel (Eileen) of Winterhaven, FL, and sister Diana (Steven) Babcock of Syracuse, and many nieces and nephews.

Richard was predeceased by his father, George Sears in 1957; his mother, Regina Sears in 2006; his brother, Dennis Sears Sr. in 2002, his brother, Rev G. David Sears in 2025; and his grandsons, Dane Sears in 1995, and Kyle Burkey in 2018.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday, February 15, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Friedel, Williams and Edmunds Funeral Home, 13 Oxford Rd, New Hartford. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 17, at 11:00 a.m. at Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish, Lourdes Campus, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be con-celebrated Rev. John Buehler and Rev. Pawel Zimja. Entombment will follow in Calvary Cemetery.

Richard was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and will be deeply missed. The family wishes to thank the staff at Eastern Star Home for the loving care and support they provided to both Richard and Carol throughout Richard's illness.

Online messages of sympathy may be left at: www.fwefh.com