FRANKFORT – Mr. Richard F. “Dick” Gonyea, age 87, a longtime Frankfort resident, passed away unexpectedly early Monday morning, February 7, 2022, with his loving wife, Vita, by his side. Born in Malone, NY on October 31, 1934, Richard was the son of the late Cecil Gonyea and Erma (Marshal) Clookey. His childhood was spent in the Malone area on the family farm, before relocating to Ilion where he was raised and attended school. On November 12, 1955, Richard was wed to the former Vita Internicola at St. Mary’s Church in Frankfort by Rev. Alfred A. Lamanna. Together, Dick and Vita shared in a loving and devoted union of over sixty-six years. Their love grew throughout the years, and they raised three daughters together. Vita is forever Dick’s “darling.” Anyone who knew Dick would say that he was one of the hardest working and toughest people they knew. Even after losing his fingers on one hand during a construction accident, he continued to work for many years for J&A Bailey and Schultz Construction. He was considered a master at pipe-laying. Dick was a longtime member of the St. Francis di Paola Society and the Frankfort Volunteer Fire Department. Dick enjoyed hunting and fishing with his brothers up north on Titus Lake. He enjoyed a good card game and adult coloring books which he found to be therapeutic. He was also an avid harmonica player. Dick will forever be remembered by those he leaves behind. He is survived by his beloved wife, Vita; his three daughters and sons-in-law, Susan and Bob Gamboni of Geneva, IL, Denise and Mark Holtzclaw of Mount Holly, NC and Stacey and Rich Mahoney of Frankfort, NY; his grandchildren, Melissa Manning, Jeremy Walawender, Shannon and Ken McCullagh, Richelle and Justin Acker, Bridget and Thomas Ritchie, and Kristi and Jason Phillips; along with several great-grandchildren. He also leaves his sister and brother-in-law, Joyce and Walter Maytan of Herkimer; his brother and sister-in-law, Dave and Donna Clookey of Rochester; his sister-in-law, Mary DellaGala of Utica; along with numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. Aside from his parents, Dick was predeceased by his sister, Betty Buchinski, and by his brothers, Kenneth Gonyea and Lloyd Gonyea. Dick’s family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff and nurses of the MVHS Dialysis Center in Herkimer for their many years of care, as well as to his physicians and staff at the offices of Dr. William Parker and Dr. Emile Wassel. Friends and relatives are invited to attend calling hours on Monday afternoon, February 14, 2022 from 4:00PM – 6:00PM at the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road, Town of Frankfort, Ilion, NY (315) 894-8000. Dick’s funeral service will commence on Monday at 6:00PM at the funeral home, immediately upon the conclusion of visitation, with Rev. Paul Catena officiating. For those wishing to do so, please consider memorial contributions to Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church, 412 South Frankfort Street, Frankfort, NY 13340 OR to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. The Gonyea family has entrusted Dick’s final wishes to the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, Harry and Kevin Enea and Martin L. Ciaccia, Funeral Directors. Online notes of sympathy may be left at www.eneafamily.com.