Mr. Richard B. Tongue, 84, husband of former Little Falls resident Mary McEvoy Tongue, passed away early Thursday morning, Oct. 28, 2004 in New York Cornell Presbyterian Hospital, NYC. The couple and their daughter Nancy E. Tongue have been residents of New York City for many years and were together at the time of his death. Richard Tongue was born on July 2, 1920 in Brightwaters, NY, son of the late Walter and Lena (Brown) Tongue. He was a graduate of St. Lawrence University where he received a BA degree in Economics. Richard went on to receive an MBA degree and a degree in Industrial Administration from The Harvard Business School. His marriage to the former Mary McEvoy took place on May 16 th, 1953 in Our Lady's Chapel in St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. They enjoyed a blessed union of 51 years characterized by love, devotion, companionship and Catholic faith. A proud United States Navy Veteran, Richard served as 1st Lieutenant during World War II. He was stationed in the Pacific area in Leyte Gulf in the Philippines and was awarded the following service ribbons: American Theater, Asiatic-Pacific Theater, Philippine Liberation, and Victory. After being honorably discharged he served another several years in the Navy Reserves. During most of his career he was employed as Merchandising Broker and Management Liaison in New York City's textile industry. He was president of DM & J Hunter as well as Merchandising Manager for both Avondale Mills and Carisbrook Industries. Other companies he worked with included George Wood & Sons, Stark Brothers Ribbons, and Logantex. Clubs and associations he belonged to were as follows: The Harvard Club, Arkright Club, The Advertising Club, and The Weavers Club. The Tongue family spent many summers in their cottage on the Maine coast - a place so special to them that Richard desired that some of his ashes be dispersed into the ocean there. Other passions included downhill skiing in New England, sailing, boating and travel in Europe, South America, Mexico, and the Southwestern United States. He was an avid reader, especially of Shakespeare, Dickens, and all of the classics. He was fascinated by history and participated in discussions and lectures regarding politics and world events. Survivors include his beloved wife Mary, his beloved daughter Nancy E. Tongue, a brother William W. Tongue of Chicago and his two daughters, Barbara Duggan and Kathleen Alligood, and their families. He was predeceased by his other brother and best friend, Charles in 1968. Charles' two sons, Tucker and Jeffery reside on Long Island. Jeffrey and his uncle were especially close. Family in Little Falls includes Richard's brother-in-law, the late Robert McEvoy and his widow, Marion and their children and grandchildren, as well as his sister-in-law, Anne (McEvoy) McDonald. Living in Kingston, NY is his sister-in-law, Catherine (McEvoy) Engle and her daughter Megan who was Richard's Godchild. Other members of Catherine's family reside in the surrounding region. In honor of Richard's wishes there will be no public calling hours. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to a mass of Christian burial, which will be celebrated at 12:10pm on November 15th at Holy Family Parish, corner of East Main and Johns Street, Little Falls. Interment will take place in St. Mary's Cemetery, town of Herkimer. The family received assistance from the Enea Funeral Home, 24 W. Monroe St. in coordinating out of town and local funeral arrangements.