NORWICH – Larry W. Rifanburg, 66, life-long Norwich resident, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013.
One of the four sons of George and H. Catherine Shipton Rifanburg, Larry was born in Norwich in April of 1946. He attended Norwich High School, graduating with the Class of 1964. On Jan. 18, 1965, Larry enlisted in the U.S. Army and served his country in Germany for the next three years. Returning home with his honorable discharge, he began his lengthy employment with NYSEG, from which he retired as a chief lineman after 35 years. On July 5, 1969, Larry married Pamela Sousa. Considered a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, he enjoyed being with his family and providing for them. From his early years on the farm, he had owned and cared for many different animals, and he used that expertise to raise chickens and sell the eggs, and raise walker coonhound pups and sell them to many avid hunters. He often paid for Christmas presents from the profits he made selling coon hides, and he always encouraged his children to put their money into savings every chance they got. He could tell when the weather was going to be bad, and tell his children they shouldn’t be driving, but always made sure they had safe vehicles to drive and repaired them if necessary. One of his joys was to train horses for riding and driving, and give people rides in his Amish-made buggy. Larry had a great sense of humor. He enjoyed telling jokes, playing cards and doing puzzles with the grandchildren, and watching both basketball and football games. He was a very hard worker, straight-forward and honest. His vacations were spent with his family, often at Black Lake where he would relax, or go fishing or go touring through the Amish country where he met and made many Amish friends.
Larry is survived by his wife, Pamela; by his children and their spouses: Mary Rifanburg, Mark and Barb Rifanburg, and Stacey Rifanburg, all of Norwich, and David and Diane Rifanburg of Edmeston. Also surviving are his grandchildren: Brittney Green, Chandler and Dustin Rifanburg, and Hailey and Hayden Rifanburg; and his brothers, Les Rifanburg of Sidney and Linn Rifanburg and companion Kristine Pierce of Oxford. Larry was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Donald.
A celebration of Larry’s life will be held at 1 p.m. Monday from the Broad Street United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Nancy Hale officiating. Friends may call at the Broad St. UMC on Monday from 11 a.m. until the 1 p.m. service.
Contributions in Larry’s memory may be sent to the Norwich Emergency Squad, 31 East Main St., Norwich, NY 13815; to the Parkinson Support Group of Syracuse, 4224 Trotwood Lane, Clay, NY 13041; or to the Smyrna Emergency Squad, Smyrna, NY 13464.
Arrangements are by the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home.