Richard C. (Rich) Zdanowicz, 31, of Eaton, NY passed away Thursday, September 29, 2016, succumbing to injuries sustained from an automobile accident.
He leaves behind his mother, Wendy (Elmer) Fitzpatrick of Sherburne, NY, his father, Tom Zdanowicz of Earlville, NY, stepfather Bill Fitzpatrick, of Sherburne, NY, brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Heather Zdanowicz, of Milton, FL, and their children Mercedes, Hannah, and Landyn, as well as his Aunt Kim Riggall, Aunt Terri Granger, Uncle Shawn Granger, cousins, Casie and Lucas Ryan, and dozens of extended family members, including, Ken and Carol Schader (WV), Bob Werlau (Norwich), James & Sue Fitzpatrick, Kyle Fitzpatrick, Brianna Fitzpatrick (Smyrna), Renae & Chris Cramphin, Josh Cramphin, Tyler Cramphin (WV), Veronica and Carlos Amaral, Brenna Amaral, Alyssa Amaral, Caleb Amaral (WV), Mary Beth Schader, Jaden Jones, Megan Jones (WV), Pamela Clark and Jennifer Clark (Sherburne), Kenneth Schader, Carlee Schader (WV), Betty Vaonais-Grems (WV, formerly of Sherburne), Luanne Brown (Thousand Islands, NY) and Nella Flurkey (WY).
Those who knew Rich know what a loving, funny, and determined guy he was. Although he faced challenges in recent years, he handled them with grace, dignity, and resolve – “powering through” as he was known to do. A star football player at Sherburne-Earlville Central School, Rich went on to study Human Performance & Health Promotion at Morrisville State College, receiving his Bachelors degree in 2010. He served in several coaching positions for the Morrisville State College football team from 2006 – 2011. Since 2012, Rich worked at Continental Cordage in Cazenovia, NY, rising to Assistant Supervisor in 2013.
Rich lived and breathed football and was a die-hard Buffalo Bills fan, and their victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday, September 25th – and Shut Out of the Patriots on October 2nd - would have put him on cloud nine. His favorite days of the year were, in order, NFL Draft Day(s), Opening Day of Bow Season, and Thanksgiving – the one holiday food, football, and deer hunting merged into one glorious event!
The best uncle and cousin anyone could ask for, he was ever present for family, putting them first every day and always there when they needed his help or just a hug. His countless friends were steadfast to him, as he was to them. Hundreds of pictures and memories will surely continue to be shared well into the future – Rich is still here in our hearts, minds, and memories.
Truly one of a kind, he made random videos to the Hit Crew Masters song, Tootsie Roll, drawing a smiley face on a long tootsie roll and showing her off in various settings with the song playing in the background. His sense of humor was ever present – even in adversity and sadness. And whenever we who loved hear Sharped Dressed Man by ZZ Top we will remember his sense of style. He will be missed by us all and never be replaced. God bless you, and keep you, Rich. No one who knew you will ever forget you.
Friends are invited to call on Thursday, October 6, 2016 from 2pm to 4pm and 7pm to 9pm at the Burgess &Tedesco Funeral Home, 10 S Main St., Sherburne, NY.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11am Friday, October 7, 2016 at St. Malachy’s Church, East Main St., Sherburne, with burial to follow at the Earlville Cemetery.
A Celebration of Rich’s Life will be held at Ray Brother’s Barbeque, Bouckville, NY, at 4pm Friday.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network, Madison Irving Medical Center, 475 Irving Ave., Suite 102B, Syracuse, NY 13210.

Provide comfort for the family by planting a tree in memory of Richard C. "Rich" Zdanowicz, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.