Richard F. Pekins

Richard Frederick Pekins passed away peacefully on August 15, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Rich was a devoted and loving husband of Mary Kathleen (Rutnik) Pekins and a wonderful father to Jennifer Lynn Pekins. Rich was born in Albany, New York on May 2, 1945 to Frederick Pekins and Ella (Buher) Pekins. He graduated from Phillip Schuyler High School in Albany and went on to enlist in the Army serving in Vietnam.

Upon his return, he went on to work for the NYS Lottery Department and later worked for the Eleanor Roosevelt Developmental Services where he enriched the lives of developmentally delayed adults. He was a very loving and generous man.

Rich was an avid fan of baseball, pinochle and horse racing. He also hammed it up in local community theater productions, taking delight in making people laugh. He was a big fan of attending plays around the area. He enjoyed singing and entertaining anyone with whom he came in contact. Rich never met a person with whom he couldn’t strike up a conversation and was frequently found “holding court”. He and Mary enjoyed traveling, especially to Maine, Virginia and Pennsylvania.

The family would like to thank the caring staff at St. Peter’s Oncology Department (Lisa, Amanda and Dr. T) and Agnes from the Eddy VNA for making a very difficult period “a little more bearable.”

The family will receive visitors at the Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Avenue, Delmar, NY 12054 on Saturday, August 23, 2025 from 12pm to 1pm followed immediately by a prayer service to celebrate Rich’s life. Internment will be held privately on a future date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that if you like, you make a contribution to The Regional Food Bank at 965 Albany Shaker Road, Latham, NY 12110, www.regionalfoodbank.net or Boys Town at P.O. Box 8000, Boys Town, NE 68010, www.boystown.org .