Richard I. Moritz

Richard I. Moritz of Masonic Village, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania formerly of Cortlandt Manor, New York passed away peacefully after a long battle with Lewy body dementia At the Evergreen Hospice Center on Februry 25, 2025. The only son of Margaret Fener Moritz and Sidney S. Moritz was born in New York City on September 7, 1932. Always a free thinker, a non-conformist rebel with a cause. That cause being true to his beliefs and not going with the flow if he didn’t feel it was right or just. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Carolan, his nephew Robert F. Magnoli(Darlene) his niece Carolan Magnoli Prisco (Matthew) great niece Reese Prisco, nephew Eddie Prisco, niece Olivia Magnoli. Richard attended schools in Manhattan. And before his stint in the U.S. Air Force he graduated from Teterboro School of Aeronautics where he had and maintained for many years his Aircraft and Aircraft Engine Mechanic degree. While in the service during the Korean conflict he furthered his career in aviation by becoming a Flight Engineer as part of the Strategic Air Command, the Air Force elite. He never lost his interest or enthusiasm for flying or for anything mechanical, especially his cars. After leaving the Air Force he attended Farleigh Dickinson College in New Jersey receiving an Associate in Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree. He subsequently attended and received his degree in Dental Surgery at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio in 1964. He practiced dentistry for 28 years, 25 in Peekskill, New York years retiring at the age of 60 in 1992. He had numerous and varied interests including his five day work outs at the Premier Health club, skating on weekends and Holidays at Hessian Lake Figure Skating Club, where he was one of few “speed skaters”. He at one time was a firearms consultant for the Cortlandt Police Department, together with his good friend ( Bob) Robert L.Pavone, former Chief of Police. Among his other interests he was an avid photographer, first taking pictures with his 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 graflex camera with his Uncle Teddy and Dad as teachers. It was his parents good influence that instilled his numerous interests, first in swimming, tennis, target shooting, snow And water skiing and speed skating. His kind and gentle touch and his way with caring and treating his many patients, especially His way with children was outstanding. He was among the first to “don a surgical mask” long before it was the normal practice to his having a small notice in the reception room explaining Why he used one, that and surgical gloves. Through that or inspite of that his voice alone had the children recognizing his voice his stories to keep the children relaxed was legend in the then small town of Peekskill. To the end of his long life many of his former patients became life long friends. Although he willingly admitted he was hesitant to “get married” he said the best decision he Made was to marry his sweetheart his chickie, his soul mate, partner, wife Carolan(Carol) Even in the last days of his life he was concerned for her well being keeping safe. He enjoyed her culinary skills and referred to her as “chef” not cook. He enjoyed sailing with his buddies, Alan, Eddie, Joel, Dieter, Jerry where they all spent many enjoyable hours on the Hudson River. May he swim in beautiful lakes, sail the oceans with his buddies, swim with his dad in his own private pool take walks with his mother making her laugh and giggle like only he could , enjoy gourmet meals and have a cup of his favorite Keenum tea or Rhine wine. At Richard’s specific request there will be no funeral service and he will be cremated with his Ashes interred at Indian Gap military cemetary. There will be a celebration of a life well lived in the Spring of 2025.

Tributes

Richard I. Moritz

September 7, 1932 - February 25, 2025