Whitesville, NY – Richard “Dick” O. Elias Sr, 86, of Main Street, passed away on Friday, June 9, 2023, at Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville. He was born on May 6, 1937, in Wellsville, the son of the late Oscar and Pearl (Ruby) Elias. On November 2, 1957, in Whitesville he married Carolyn Ann Scoville, who predeceased him on August 30, 2019.
Dick attended Genesee High School. He and his wife lived in Belmont, where they raised their family for 21 years before returning to her childhood home in Whitesville in 1986 to care for her father before his passing. Upon entering the work force he found his career with L.C. Whitford and worked there for many years before taking care of his wife for the last two years of her life. Outside of his employment he enjoyed dancing, Sunday dinners, gardening around the house, going to the Casino in Cuba, fishing, camping, watching wrestling and westerns of TV, and spending time with his four-legged friends Buddy and Fluffy.
He is survived by: four sons, Robert Elias of Belmont, David Elias of Olean, Leo (Tracy) Elias of Wellsville, and Richard (Tracey) Elias Jr. of Scio; four daughters, Beverly Elias of Wellsville, Patricia Elias of Whitesville, Melody Elias of Wellsville, and Jacqueline (Earl) Hadsell of Black Creek; 16 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Gene Elias of Waverly, Ervin (Joann) Elias of Wellsville, and Roger (Elizabeth) Elias of Wellsville; two sisters, Agnes Glover of Olean and Linda Crawford of Hinsdale; as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, and wife of 62 years, he was predeceased by: three brothers, Robert Elias, Leonard Elias, and Gerald Elias; and sister Viola Mazer.
Friends are invited to call on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, from 5 -7 pm at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home of Wellsville, 34 West State Street, Wellsville, NY 14895. His funeral will follow at 7 pm in the funeral home with Reverend Carl Kemp presiding. Burial will be in Whitesville Rural Cemetery the next day.
Please consider memorial donations to Home Care and Hospice, 1225 West State Street, Olean, NY 14760. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com
