Richard T. Slobody

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. - Richard T. Slobody, 63, of Pompano Beach, Florida passed away peacefully on January 16, 2017 after a courageous battle with cancer. Richard was born in New York City, NY and raised in Leverett, MA. He graduated from Amherst Regional High School in Amherst, MA and from Western New England College in Springfield MA. While at Western New England College, Richard served as President of the Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity.
Richard is a son of the late Dr. Lawrence B. Slobody and Evelyn (Towne) Slobody of Leverett, MA. He is also the beloved brother of Roger T. Slobody of West Brookfield, MA and Laurie T. Slobody of Southbridge, MA. In addition to leaving his brother Roger T. Slobody's family (Laurie D. Slobody, Wesley Slobody, Kristina Slobody, Clinton Jury, and Morgan Slobody Jury), he leaves his sister Laurie T. Slobody's family (Arnold Lanni, Marion Lanni, Jeanne Lanni, Richard Vinton, Olivia Vinton, David Gagnon, and Lanni Gagnon), he also leaves three beloved aunts, Lillian Black, Eunice Ball, and Hilda Williams and numerous other Towne family cousins and relatives.
Fortunate to also be a close part of his childhood friend Steven Hammond's family, Richard also leaves his ""brother"" Steve Hammond, his ""sister"" Annette Hammond, his godsons Tyler and Sean Hammond, and many other Hammond family members. He also leaves his other ""brothers"" Alan Sharpe and Dwight Scott and his other ""sister"" Ilene Berezin.
Following college graduation, Richard founded or co-founded several businesses in the Amherst/Western MA area, including VIP Builders, Jason's Pub, and Utopia Spa. He was the long term owner (28 years) of Charlie's Tavern in Amherst, MA during the 1980's, 1990's, and early 2000's. He was also the co-owner of a family horse farm on South East Street in Amherst. This farm was sold to a non-profit charitable conservation trust in 2002 and has now been forever designated as the ""Slobody Farm Conservation Area.""
In 1979, Richard created the Slobody Development Corporation, a commercial real estate company located in Amherst, MA. Through this company, Richard developed many prominent buildings in Amherst, including the ""Slobody Building"" on University Drive and ""South Towne Commons"" on West Street. He took great pride in naming the buildings in honor of his father and mother. Richard continued to serve as President of the Slobody Development Corporation until the time of his passing.
In addition to his business interests, Richard enjoyed many hobbies. As a young man, he studied martial arts becoming highly skilled and winning numerous competitions. He was an expert scuba diver and member of the Hampshire and Enfield scuba diving clubs. With the wonderful friends he made in these groups, he traveled extensively and had the opportunity to experience the best and most challenging dive sites in the world.
Active in law enforcement, Richard also served as an appointed Deputy Sheriff in Hampshire County and an honorary Deputy Sheriff in Hampden County. He was a member of both Hampshire and Hampden County Deputy Sheriff Associations.
He was the founder of Choir Practice, a law enforcement fraternal organization located in Western MA. Through this organization, Richard developed more cherished life-long friends. With them, he enjoyed many activities, including motorcycle rides and charitable golfing events.
Richard was also a member of the Hadley Young Men's Club and the Shutesbury Athletic Club. Through these organizations, he found more friends. With his excellent pool playing ability, he served as a member of the Shutesbury Athletic Club's pool league.
Richard also had a network of very close friends in other states. In addition to Florida, he was fortunate to have several life-long friends in Virginia. He visited with them often, enjoying many activities such as travel, college football games, and steeple chase races. He also had the pleasure of spending time each year with his childhood ""extended family"" in Albany, NY. On these visits, Richard was able to pursue his golfing interest as well as ""try his luck"" at Saratoga Race Track.
Musically, Richard was also gifted. A lover of music and a talented drummer, Richard played drums for a variety of Western MA bands (The Mark Snow Band, Sun Down, The Hangmen, and others). With his cousin Mark Snow, he founded and ran the ""Open Mike"" program at the Seven O's, a popular Western MA music venue. This unique program provided an opportunity to showcase and support emerging musical talent.
In addition to leaving a family that adores him, Richard leaves so many friends that it is impossible to acknowledge all of them. To everyone who has known and loves him, please know that Richard considered all of you to be the ""heart and joy"" of his life.
A celebration of Richard's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at the North Leverett Baptist Church (70 N Leverett Rd., Leverett, MA 01054). Following the service, a reception will be held downstairs in the church Fellowship Hall. Burial will be private in the Plainview Cemetery, North Leverett, MA. Visiting hours have been omitted.
For those who wish, a donation in lieu of flowers may be made in Richard's memory to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (1500 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266) or the American Cancer Society (PO Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123).
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the McCarthy Funeral Homes, of Greenfield and Turners Falls, MA. Guest book and condolence message available at www.mccarthyfuneralhomes.com