Richard Alexander Ochs

Born on February 3, 1930 in Hudson, New York, Dick was the son of Alexander Henry and Thelma (Reynolds) Ochs. He grew up in Chatham, New York and was a 1947 graduate of Chatham High School. Following high school, Dick spent a year in Washington, D.C. at the Coast Guard’s Hilder Prep School. He was then accepted into the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT; however, Dick made the decision to follow a different path that would allow him to dedicate his life to raising a family.

In 1948 Dick married Regina Russell. He and Regina moved from Chatham to Pittsfield, Massachusetts where together they raised their family. Dick began his 42-year-long career with General Electric Company, starting as a young apprentice draftsman and advancing through the years, culminating with the distinguished title of senior designer. He retired from General Electric in 1990 to dedicate his time to caring for his beloved wife Regina until her death in 1992.

In 1993 Dick met Marian (Gray) Greenleaf who had also recently lost her spouse George. Dick and Marian were married later that year, and in 2002 they moved to Hawthorne Retirement Community in Leesburg, FL. Dick and Marian enjoyed 25 years together until Marian’s death in 2019.

Dick’s passion was always his family. As a totally engaged dad, he enthusiastically planned family outings, camping trips, summer evening lake swims, and backyard games and barbecues, and he would also lead family hikes on the Appalachian Trail. When it came to satisfying his artistic talents, he would meticulously manicure an acre of trees, shrubbery, and lawns at the family home. And he would never miss an opportunity to take his family on a scenic drive to enjoy the fall colors of New England.

Upon becoming empty nesters, Dick and Regina enjoyed summer weekend travels to Maine and Newport, RI, and during the winter they donned their cross-country skis and trekked in the snow-covered Berkshires. They continued to host large family gatherings at their home, always celebrating birthdays and holidays.

During Dick’s retirement years in Florida with Marian, he took up tennis and golf and in 2023 he received an award for the most holes-in-one on the Hawthorne Putt and Play course. Dick happily challenged players to a game of croquet with a “take no prisoners” attitude. He chaired the Hawthorne Kitchen Band and filled the role of road manager for their many trips to entertain at local nursing homes with Marian accompanying the singers on keyboard. He and Marian were members of the Hawthorne Boat Club and navigated the waters of the Harris Chain of Lakes and also traveled extensively, cruising to Hawaii and the Caribbean in addition to taking several road trips out west.

Dick’s motto was “you can always count on your family”, and he certainly honored and lived by these words all through his life. Whatever challenges he faced, he always showed up with courage, support, and an innate wisdom of what needed to be done. As a husband, father, and grandfather, those he left behind will carry fond memories of his dedication to family life, his enjoyment of sharing a good meal with family and friends, and his great sense of humor that lifted everyone’s spirits. He will be greatly missed, and always remembered.

Dick is survived by his five children with Regina: Richard Jr. (Martha) of Westfield, MA, Audrey Sepe of Sedona, AZ, Patricia Cuzzone (Stephen) of Leesburg, FL, Lorraine Kelleher of Schenectady, NY, and Kathleen Sakshaug of Pittsfield, MA. Dick also leaves behind ten grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

Dick is also remembered with love by Marian’s daughters Jane Cheney (Gregg) of Templeton, MA, and Joyce Greenleaf (Michael Fallon) of Southborough, MA, and three step-grandchildren.

Dick was predeceased by his parents, Alexander and Thelma, his first wife Regina, his second wife Marian, his sister Betty Jane Ochs Van Beusichem (2003), his sons-in-law Paul Kelleher (2023) and Michael Sepe (2024), and his stepsons, Robert Greenleaf (2019) and David Greenleaf (2021).

Memorial services honoring Dick will be held at a later date in Florida and in Massachusetts.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Cornerstone Hospice, 2445 Lane Park Rd. Tavares, FL 32778.