Forestport: Saturday service set for Rick ‘Scooter’ Wolcott, 56

Rick "Scooter" Wolcott

The following is documented hear-say chronicling the life and adventures of Richard Alan Wolcott, affectionately known as Dick, Rich, Rick, Strawberry, RAW, Coach and ultimately Scooter who emerged into this life on July 22, 1955, the first son of Ward and Marietta (Smith) Wolcott and who departed this earthly life at 5:07 a.m. Tuesday, January 24, 2012.

Rick was educated in Holland Patent Schools graduating with the class of 1973.

He found his passion in sports and was a triple-letter athlete in basketball, football and baseball. He received the Louisville Slugger Batting Championship Award for his .487 batting average in 1972.

Rick was then off to Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee and graduated summa cum laude with a BS in Physical Education. He coordinated the Intramural Recreation Program while on campus.

Rick lived in North Conway, NH before returning back to his roots to establish the first South Trenton Pub in cohoots with Dennis “Doc” Zacek.

These life-long friends—brothers with different mothers—relocated the STP to its present site.Moving right along, Rick then became independent and his next business venture was opening Scooter’s in beautiful downtown Forestport.

Rick and his brother Bob were very familiar with Forestport as they played “world-class” fast pitch softball at the Dutch Hill Field during their teens.

You will have to read the book to find out how he also became the mayor of Ausable Forks, playing through 25 years of hard fought Fast Pitch Tournaments.

Rick also worked as an ISS Administrator at Holland Patent Middle School, a position he really enjoyed as he was so good with kids.

Rick also helped to organize the NY Ham Slammers MudFootball Team which became World Champions in New Hampshire.

He also was featured in the December 1982 National Geographic featuring “Contrary New Hampshire.”

Rick became involved with the Northern League Men’s Fast Pitch Softball and played for 30 years with the league in Prospect, Holland Patent, Barneveld, Remsen and Forestport fields.

He, along with Rick Ritter, recently organized the Scooter’s Men’s Fast Pitch Team, now in its fifth year. He also received the Bill Deck Award in 2007 at the Prospect Field Days for his dedication and contribution to Fast Pitch Softball.

Rick accomplished 25 years on the Girls Basketball Board, Utica Board of Soccer Officials and the Mohawk Valley Baseball Umpires Association. He is also a social member of the Forestport Firefighters and the Forestport Athletic Association and a founding father of the Scooter’s Campus of Forestport University.

Rick left behind a loving family who will miss him immensely: his dad, Ward; his dearly beloved and dedicated wife, Jeannie (Beep) (Rumbutis-Borgia) and their new kitty, Boogers Bailey; his brother, Bob (Baxter) and Kathy; sister, Barb Fernandes and her hubby Tom #1; and his loving nieces Ryan Clement and Tom #2 of Russia, NY; and Lisa Shuford and hubby Joe; and great-nephew Wyatt of Asheville NC.

He was also very attached to Beep’s sons Tommy and Vicki, grandkids, Kailee Rae Borgia who was more like a daughter to him; Brittany Crampton and Matt Joswick, all of Georgia; and David Borgia and Heather Greiner of Utica; and sister-in-law Doris of Las Cruces, NM.

He was a life-long fan of the Boston Red Sox and SU Orange Basketball.

Scooter will be near and dear to his dedicated and heartbroken staff: Cindy “Princess” Combs and hubby Jody, Teresa Williamson, Duke Sprowell, Jason Carson, Gary Bush, Ralph Mead and Strider Speis.

He will so miss this year’s Scooter’s Fast Pitch games as Coach, his Dart Teams, his Pool Team and his Pitch games where he excelled with any partner, and golfing at Bear Creek with Beep and Alice and Greg Penree.

Rick loved assigning his friends and customers nicknames, hence Oil Can, Baxter, Beep, Lucky, Ned, Dudley, Muffin,Camper, etc.

And there are so many friends but we must mention Tony Donatelli, Jack Tompkins, Johnie Jones, Maggie and Nate Zacek, Chubby and Diane Heburn who provided amazing support during very difficult times.

A special mention to the Compromised Crew for extra support to Beep.

Rick was one of the most nonconfrontational, charismatic people who endeared himself to so many people.

He was the life of the Party!!

You could always tell if he was lying when his lips were moving. He also had the amazing ability to make any woman feel like she was his most favorite. And he never saw a microphone or a camera he didn’t like.

Rick is now welcomed to heaven by his Mom Marietta, BFF Dennis Zacek and his recently departed kitty Skidget Marie.

The family wishes to thank the dedicated staff at Heritage Home for their loving care and David Petrie MD and the Strong Memorial Transplant and Oncology Departments.

Let the tail go with the hide…God Bless America and 20- 4.

A Mass will be held on Saturday, January 28th at 2 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Forestport followed by a Celebration of his amazing life at the Forestport Firehouse under the direction of Trainor Funeral Services.

Memorial contributions can be directed to the Forestport Athletic Association or to the Forestport Firefighters c/o Scooter’s.

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