Birth date: May 16, 1931 Death date: Mar 8, 2022
RICHARD A. CLOSSON Richard Arthur Closson died peacefully on March 8, 2022 in Dunedin, Florida. He was 90 years old. Born in Troy, New York to Hanford Hillman and Marion Miller Closson (nee Benedict) in 1931, he studied history a Read Obituary
Sorry for the late posting just found out Richard was a kind and gentle neighbor of mine for 8 years I have missed our brief but very cordial conversations our condolences to Laurie and his family and friends.
Michael & Jane San Giovanni
Richard was a true mensch and a good, sweet, caring man. I have a jewelry box he crafted - I think of him every time I look at it. He will be greatly missed.
The world is a lesser place by the loss of Richard; a truly admirable person.
I offer an expression of especialy warm condolence to all in Dicks family and circle of friends. Dick and I were close friends and enjoyed many connections in days when he was one class ahead of me at both John Marshall High School and the University of Rochester. I knew his whole family and remember well when the Closson brothers married the Stahlbrodt sisters. In high school Dick played the violin in the orchestra, while I played the trombone in the band and sang in the Marshall Choir, a notably rich choral ensemble, with both Joan and Shirley Stahlbrodt. We were fortunate that our homes, high school, and Grace Methodist Church (where the Rev. Hanford Closson, later Methodist Bishop for a large segment of upstate NY, was the widely respected minister) were all located in Rochester's 10th Ward. In days of the Great Depression and WWII, when we were all growing presumably in stature and wisdom, it was clearly not a wealthy community, but it was thriving and rich in cultural resources as well as traits of character and civility. The weekly "10th Ward Courier" was a journalistic gem which kept all area residents connected, and in days when wind-up watches were not carried by every one, the dependable far reaching hoots of the Kodak Park whistle at 8 AM, Noon, and 5 PM daiy kept everthing on time.
Following graduation from UR, Dick entered the Methodist Seminary at Boston University (where his student deferrment from the Korean Conflict remained valid) and I went to OCS at the Coast Guard Academy. My first assignment after commissioning was aboard a ship based in Boston, where I was able to re-connect with Dick and Shirley. On two occasions, at their invitation, I joined them for Sunday services at the BU Chapel, where we were richly inspired by the preaching of legendary Howard Thurman, and for Sunday dinner (commonly following church in those days) in their apartment.
In ensuing years, alas, contact was sparse and we seemed to lose track of one another. While I served as tenor soloist for 50 years at Lake Avenue Baptist, in recent years I have often attended Asbury First Methodist and had occasional contact with brother David. The last time I saw Dick was at the memorial service at the time of David's passing, when, sadly, his memory had faded. While we had a brief pleasant chat, he did not remember me, so we were not able to connect on a personal basis. My heart goes out to his loved ones and close friends for whom reacent times must have been heavily challenging, and for whom in present days the aching void which evolves from his passing is most likely made heavier by an extra burden deriving from a mixed sense of relief and grief.
John Braund
My condolences to the Closson Family.
We were next door neighbors on Fourth St. when Rev. Closson served his ministry in Niagara Falls NY. He was truly a wonderful man. Martha, Paula, Richy, and Gayla so sorry for your loss.
Both your parents will always be remembered fondly by our family.
You’re all on my thoughts and prayers today.
Rest peacefully Dick, and Shirley 🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️
Daniel Passanese, Grand Island, NY.
This is mostly for Richard's children, as you are my generation. My father--Jason Closson--was one of the "five cousins" who grew up close in heart--brothers Dick and David, and siblings, Jason, Paul and Janice. My father told many happy stories of his cousins and siblings. I saw the "stairstep photos" of the five cousins together. I only had the pleasure of meeting your father twice; I remember meeting Martha, Paula, Richard and Gayla one time when your family visited in Michigan. All I can say is this: by reading the memorial about him here, what a rich, full, giving, joyous and meaningful life had had, and I'm happy he had a peaceful passing where he will be greeted by those who went before him. From what I can see, the ever-expanding family tree that began generations ago continues to flourish with love and giving to others. With warm and caring
thoughts--Catherine Closson Vance, third of six born to Jason and Ann Closson.
My Dad, Paul Closson was Richard's cousin. When we were kids my parents took us to visit Cousin Dick, I remember having a great time. Later in life, my mom and dad, along with their "Closson Cousins" generation had several get-togethers and kept up with each other's joys and supported each other in more trying times. They are all remembered with love.
I was friends with Gayla when Dick was the minister in Clarence. I spent many hours at their house and fondly remember the ice rink he would build in the back yard every winter for us to skate on. Great fun! Condolences to all of you. Heather O’Connell Milone
"With my wife Margaret and children, Barbara, Christine and Timothy, I emigrated from England in 1966. We found a home in Clarence and were welcomed into the Clarence Methodist Church family. Our children were close in ages to the Closson children. We shared good times together. I have fond and vivid memories of the two summers that we spent with them camping on the far shore of Seventh Lake in the Adirondacks. We hiked up Bear Mountain to Pick Blueberries and then we canoed along the lake to get ice cream, while Shirley baked a pie in her reflector oven"
Peter Cutt, New Orleans
i came to know Richard when I worked in Hagerstown, MD. This obituary is so very accurate. We were both preacher's kids...that led us to have many conversations about our faith journeys. He was a lovely person. Kind, compassionate, non-judging, happy. I enjoyed our conversations whenever he stopped in the my place of work. I feel fortunate that I crossed paths with this special person!
Nancy Wolfe
