Obituary of Richard E. Virgil

JOHNSBURG:  Our beloved Richard E. “Dick” Virgil, 88 years young, passed away peacefully at Glens Falls Hospital, after a long illness on October 21, 2024.

Dick was born in Glens Falls Hospital on October 27, 1935, he was the son of the late Cassius J. and Christy A. (Davison) Virgil.  He grew up on Goodman Rd., Johnsburg, on the family’s farm, with the exception of a few years when his dad moved the family to Tahawas to work in the mines. 

He enjoyed playing basketball and baseball, known for his height and running speed.  Dick enjoyed playing the trumpet and guitar and singing at school, church and later entertaining residents at local nursing homes with his fellow “Kitchen Pickers”.

Dick started work as a very young man and was always known as “the hardest working man I know” by many.  In his early years he worked at Barton Mines, various sawmills and construction jobs in both New York and Virginia.  Soon after returning to New York State in the early 1980’s he went to work at Gore Mountain Ski Center, retiring from there at the age of 71 after 27 years. Though he wasn’t a man of many words, whenever he did speak, people paid attention—because when Dick said something, it was always worth listening to.

Besides his parents, Dick is predeceased by his brother Raymond Virgil and his infant granddaughter Sophie Virgil. 

Dick is survived by his wife of 38 years, Suzannah “Suzy” (Bacon) Virgil of Johnsburg; sons Richard (Susan) Virgil of Arizona, Andy Virgil of Bakers Mills, Jimmy Virgil of Virginia and Josh (Sara) Virgil of Johnsburg; daughters Nancy (Harry) Virgil-Call of Utica, Joyce (Mark) Virgil-Morgan of Johnsburg, Lynn (Danny) Butler of Virginia; grandchildren Danny and Matthew Virgil of Arizona, Jeremy (Erica) Morgan of Camillus, Joe Morgan of Johnsburg, Abby and Nya Butler of Virginia, Brandi Proffitt of Virginia, Jesse (Makenna) Virgil of Hawaii, Savannah Virgil, Isaac Steele, Ella Steele and Cashus Virgil all of Johnsburg and several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dick’s memory may be made to: Johnsburg Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 135, Johnsburg, NY 12843.

A memorial to celebrate Dick’s life will be held at Sodom Community Church, Sunday, November 3, 2024 at 2pm, followed by a gathering for family and friends at Sodom Scout Hall. 

Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online condolences and guest book.