RICHFIELD SPRINGS - Richard M. "Rick"Potts, 54, of Lake Street, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer onSaturday evening, Feb. 16, 2002, in his home with his loving family at hisbedside. He was bornMarch 2, 1947, in Ilion, son of the late Eugene and Anne Dawley Potts. Alifelong area resident, he was raised and educated in Richfield Springs. On May29, 1970, he married Shirley Barrett Yaw in Richfield Springs. At one time hehad managed Tom Serif's Texaco Station in Richfield Springs. In 1975, he went towork as a horticulturist for the Clark Foundation in Cooperstown, retiring in1990. To his family, Rick was the strength that held themtogether, he was the one they leaned on and he stood by them. He was of the Presbyterian faith. He was an exemptvolunteer fireman with the Richfield Springs Fire Department, a former member ofthe Richfield Springs Lions Club. Rick loved NASCAR racing and was an avid DaleEarnhardt fan. He also enjoyed all kinds of music, fishing and old classic cars.He was a friend to many and will always be remembered. Surviving him are his wife of 31 years, Shirley; adaughter, Stacey and her husband Cody Mayne; a stepson, William Yaw and his wifeCarrie, all of Richfield Springs; two stepdaughters, Beth Ann and her husbandRandy Gage of Mohawk and Sue Ann and her husband Gary Horner of Herkimer; histwin sister, Andrea C. Bouteiller of Lexington, N.C.; nine grandchildren,Matthew Yaw, Cody Mayne, Brandon and Austin Gage, Tyler Yaw, Kelvin and JasonBerberick and Jessica and Crystal Horner; his special little pal"Boogie;" several nieces including a special niece, Denise BouteillerRigo of Richfield Springs; several nephews and cousins. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by aniece, Renee Lynne Bouteiller in 1990. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday evening at8 p.m. in J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 W. James St., Richfield Springs.The Rev. John Young will officiate. The family will be present in the funeral home toreceive relatives and friends on Wednesday, two hours prior to the memorialservice, 6-8 p.m. Memorials donations may be made to the Catskill AreaHospice or the Richfield Springs Volunteer Fire Department. Envelopes will beavailable at the funeral home.