Chaumont, New York – Richard J. Whattam, 90, of E. Main St, Brownville, passed away on Tuesday, September 12, 2017. He was born on April 4, 1927, in Three Mile Bay, the son of Ruth Belle Whattam.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Becker-Cleveland Funeral Home, Chaumont, NY.
He graduated from Lyme Central School. He joined the United States Army in 1945 serving in the European theatre during WWII, he was a Sergeant in the D Troop 22nd Constabulary Squadron and attended the Nuremburg trials. He later became an Associate Director at Production Unlimited, Watertown, retiring in 1989.
He married Margaret Bisdee on September 4, 1948, she passed away on April 18, 1983. He married Dolores Dupee on April 27, 1985.
He was a member of the Brownville American Legion and was Chaplain there for 12 years , former Justice of the Peace for the Town of Lyme, he was on the Board of Directors for the Lyme Free Library, a 30 year member of the Three Mile Bay Volunteer Fire Dept joining in 1948, he was a member of the Jefferson County NY Republican Committee, he was a past member of the Masons, Chaumont Lodge #172, he had a love of music and enjoyed listening to German music and playing the organ and was a member of the choral group Celebration Singers. He was also an avid motorcyclist.
Surviving him besides his wife Dolores, are 6 children, Bethany Denny, Three Mile Point, Erin Whattam, Maui, HI, Becky (Terry) Countryman, Three Mile Point, Matthew (Barbara) Whattam, Evans Mills, Brian (Kara Dunn-Whattam) Whattam, Mannsville, Rachel “Blythe” Whattam, Watertown; 5 stepchildren, Daniel Dupee, Syracuse, Theresa Quider, Grand Island, NY, Tim Dupee, Brownville, Patrick Dupee, Brownville, Edward Dupee, Atlanta, GA; 7 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, 15 step grandchildren, 18 step great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his first spouse, Margaret Bisdee; his son in law, Douglas Denny, his daughter in law Cathy Whattam, his grandson CW4 Michael Denny, his step granddaughter Erika Hunt, and his Stepfather Clifford Weaver.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, September 18, 2:00 PM at the Becker-Cleveland Funeral Home, Chaumont with the Rev. Michael Gaffney officiating, Burial will follow in Three Mile Bay Cemetery. Calling hours will be before the funeral from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Donations may be given in his name to the Three Mile Bay Volunteer Fire Department, 8581 State Route 12E, Three Mile Bay, NY 13693
Online condolences may be made at www.clevelandfuneralhomeinc.com.