Melvin M. "Rick" Rickard, Jr., 82, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on April 28, 2018. He was the loving son of the late Melvin M. and Arlene (Mt. Pleasant) Rickard. Rick attended local schools and graduated from Trott Vocational High School in 1953. In 1955, he married Mary Jane (Antone) Rickard, who survives him.  Rick worked at Stauffer Chemical for 12 years, beginning in 1954. In 1966 he left to work as a tradesman at General Motors in Tonawanda, NY until his retirement in 1992

In his youth he was known as the "Home Run King" when he played baseball in the local Factory Club league and was a championship 4-H square dancer. He enjoyed deer hunting in the Southern Tier, bicycling, gardening, photography, playing the guitar and listening to music, especially Southern Gospel. He was extremely supportive of his daughters' educational activities, and served as Vice President of the PTA at Tuscarora Indian School.

When he was 12, he made the decision to accept Jesus Christ as his Savior and to follow and serve Him the rest of his life. He was an active member in the Tuscarora Baptist Church, serving in many capacities over the past 70 years. As a teen, he was leader of the Baptist Youth Fellowship. From age 22 until his death he served faithfully as a Deacon, and was also treasurer and an Awana leader for several years.  For 18 years he, along with his wife, spent many hours in a comfort, care and floral ministry (Cheerio), visiting, encouraging and praying with those in need. Rick never shied away from sharing the Gospel message wherever he was, and was a constant encouragement to his family, fellow believers and community.

Mr. Rickard is also survived by his two daughters, Wendy Jo (Earl) Burning and Kris Anne (Jeannie) Ricusso; three grandsons, Chad (Angelica) Knapp, Phillip Burning and Timothy Burning; one sister, Vivian Rickard; one niece, Melody Meloon, and three nephews, Timothy (Catherine) Rickard, David Rickard and Jeremy Meloon, as well as three great-grandchildren- Brooke, Dante and Evangeline. He was predeceased by his brother James B. (late Geraldine) Rickard Sr. and a nephew, James B. (Kelle) Rickard, Jr.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 1 from 2- 4 and 6- 8 at the M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY. A prayer service will follow at 8:00pm. Family and friends are invited to celebrate a funeral service on Wednesday, May 2 at 11:00 am at Tuscarora Baptist Church, 2088 Mt. Hope Road, Sanborn, NY with Rev. Walter Printup III and Rev. Robert Dean officiating. EVERYONE PLEASE ASSEMBLE AT CHURCH. Interment to follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Lewiston, NY. Please visit mjcoluccifuneralchapel.com for online condolences