COLTON, New York (WWNY) – A Christian burial mass for Richard F. “Dick” Ensby, 82, a resident of 6100 Deep Glade Drive, Baldwinsville, and formerly of Colton, NY, will be held on Tuesday, October 26, 2021 in 11:00 am at St. Patrick’s Church in Colton, chaired by Reverend Joseph Giroux. Interment will be held in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Colton after the service. Family and friends can call Buck Funeral Home in Colton on Monday, October 25 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Mr. Ensby passed away on Friday October 22, 2021 at the Crouse Hospital Comfort Care unit in Syracuse with his family by his side.

Better known as “Grr” by his family and friends, he was predeceased by his 58-year-old wife, Lois, and a son, Christopher. He is survived by five children, Michael (Ellyn) Ensby of Lansdale, PA; Lynda Ensby of Baldwinsville, NY; Stephen (Colleen) Ensby, of Phoenix, NY; Macell (Al) Jones of Baldwinsville, NY; and Stephany (Douglas) Collins from Weedsport, NY. “GrrPa” is also survived by thirteen beloved grandchildren, Trevor (Jill) Jones, Geoffrey (Molly) Ensby, Alex (Holly) Ensby, Madison Slater, Jack Slater, Paige Ensby, Brooke Ensby, Samantha Jones, Nikolas Jones, Ashton Collins, Adrihanna Collins, Lorelai Ensby, Quinncy Ensby and Franncis Ensby, as well as three great-grandchildren, Hailey and Claire Jones, and Eugene Richard Ensby.

Born in Canton, NY on October 29, 1938 to the late Ralph and Helen Ensby, Dick graduated from Canton Central High School, earned an associate degree from Canton ATC and spent time as a military police reservist in the reserve center of the Canton army. After graduating from college and completing military service, he married Lois M. Dominy on May 30, 1959. For nearly 60 years he worked in the dairy industry in project management and sales roles. , while helping Lois raise their family in Baldwinsville. During those years, he most enjoyed the summers on Higley Flow in Colton as an “all day” boat operator while his children, nieces and nephews, and a multitude of children of other campers went camping. water skiing at will.

In the late 1990s, Dick and Lois returned full time to the North Country where he became active at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church when he was not captain of his daughter’s pontoon boat on “the Flow.” “. Returning to Baldwinsville before Lois’ death in the late 2010s, Dick resumed a previous passion for golf and teamed up with his son, Steve in a local league. The real joy of her life, however, was her family, and most notably her grandchildren.

Memorial donations in memory of Dick can be made to St. Patrick’s Altar and Rosary Society or the Comfort Care Unit at Crouse Hospital in Syracuse and memories and condolences can be shared online at www.buckfuneralhome.com .

Buck Funeral Home in Colton serves the family of Richard F. Ensby.

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