Obituary of Richard C. Payne

Richard Charles Payne of Port Orange, FL, passed away on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.

Richard was born in Yonkers, NY, in 1943, the youngest (and last-surviving) of three brothers (Kenneth and John Payne) to the late Kenneth E. Payne and Helen (Grant) Payne. As a boy he enjoyed baseball, fishing, and a little mischief (like jumping off roofs on a dare for pocket change). At Lincoln High School in Yonkers, he demonstrated talent in wood-working and electronics, in persuasively arguing against authority (aka teachers), and on the football field as a strong and savvy two-way lineman.

Richard found work in the shipping and receiving department at the Stewart Stamping corporation in Yonkers. It was there, at just 20 years old, where he met the love of his life, Madeline (Cincotta) Payne, when they were paired as part of a bowling team in a company-sponsored league. To outsiders, they may have seemed mis-matched: Richard was social, confident and athletic; Madeline was shy, from a large, protective Italian family and a novice bowler. Her family doubted that she could fall for anyone who was not Italian. Richard won them over with his kind heart and with his elastic stomach, surviving four-hour-long meals at her parents’ house. They were engaged within four months, married less than a year later, and completely devoted to each other until her untimely passing 34 years later. In one of Richard’s proudest moments, his own father, who had been skeptical of Richard’s desire to marry at such young age, later expressed sincere admiration for his son’s work ethic and dedication to family.

Richard and Madeline had a son and daughter, and about that time it was clear they were outgrowing apartment life in Yonkers. The young family moved to a townhouse in the tiny suburb of West Haverstraw, NY. Initially, Richard and Madeline expected to stay a few years, save up and move on. Instead, that house is where they would raise their family, celebrate birthdays, graduations and holidays; root for the home team, especially the New York Football Giants; and see their own children bring spouses and babies back home. Richard lived in that house for 43 years. While there, he put family first. Richard was never too tired to play with his kids. Toss the football. Shoot baskets. Play cards (especially Pinochle, which he usually won). Sometimes he was the only parent to watch his kid at an away game. Richard honed skills from high school and could fix almost anything: carpentry, plumbing, electrical work; he used these talents to make sure the house Madeline grew up in was well-maintained long after his father-in-law passed away.

Richard had labored in warehouses for over a decade, until his great friend Bill Roscoe persuaded him to pursue a truck-driving license. With Bill’s help, he succeeded, and Richard spent the rest of his working life as a truck driver and long-time Teamster for many outfits, including McLean, Roadway, St. Johnsbury, ABCO Refrigeration, and Overnite Transportation, primarily serving Rockland and Westchester Counties. Richard drove trucks within the Pearl River, NY, campus of Wyeth (Lederle Labs) for the last ten years of his career before retiring in 2009. At each company, he drove safely, kept coworkers loose with his dry sense of humor, soaked up all the overtime he could get to help his family, and persuasively argued against authority (aka dispatchers).

In retirement, Richard embraced wood-working, building a shop that churned out, among many items, custom jewelry boxes, end tables, cutting boards, and the sturdiest piano stool ever built. He lived with his son’s family for a few years, finally leaving the townhouse in West Haverstraw. In his 70’s, Richard moved to Florida to reunite with his brother John. Together they traded jokes, watched sports, sometimes went to the pistol-shooting range (where they developed commendable marksmanship), and worked together to maintain their independence. Richard recently celebrated his 80th birthday, surrounded by family and friends. But even in the happiest days of his retirement, there was always someone missing. His Madeline. In passing, his spirit reunites with hers. He is home.

Richard is survived by his son Eric Payne and wife Sharon of Doylestown, PA, and daughter Jennifer (Payne) Hoffman and husband Paul of West Grove, PA, and grandchildren Emelia Gabbert-Payne, Justin Hoffman, Erin Payne, Alan Hoffman, Elise Payne and Everett Payne.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 22, 2024 from 4pm-8pm at TJ McGowan Sons Funeral Home in Garnerville, NY. A graveside service will be held on Friday, February 23, 2024, 11am at St. Peter's Cemetery, Haverstraw, NY.