Richard Linkie

Richard P. Linkie, age 78, of Erie and formerly of New Hartford, NY, passed away on Friday April 10, 2015 at UPMC Hamot. He was born in Utica, NY, a son of the late Catherine “Kay” Bogdanowicz and Paul Linkie.

Richard graduated from Sauquoit Valley High School and Syracuse University. He was a civil engineer for the New York State Department of Transportation until his retirement in 1997. After retirement he enjoyed being an usher at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino, recently receiving his 10 year service award. Richard was active in St. John the Evangelist Church in New Hartford, NY and regularly attended Our Lady of Peace in Erie.

Richard had many passions, including coaching his daughter’s softball team and playing ball with his sons. He enjoyed music and sports of all kinds. He loved baseball, basketball, football, and hockey, and enjoyed attending local college games. He loved to travel, and had explored the United States and countries around the world with his wife and sons. He was an avid reader and lifelong learner. Richard had recently adopted Erie as his home and was pleased to have made many new friends. Most of all, Richard enjoyed being a father and a grandfather.

In addition to his parents, Richard was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years Charlotte “Dottie” Linkie, and his daughter Cynthia “Cindy” Linkie.

Survivors include his children: Christine Linkie and her husband Doug Michali, Charisse Nixon and her husband Ed, both of Erie, Richard “Scott” Linkie, William “Brad” Linkie and his significant other Jennifer Graham, both of Worcester, MA; his granddaughters, Kathryn “Katie” and Abigail “Abby” Nixon of Erie; his brother Dan Linkie and wife Leslie of Congers, NY; sisters-in-law Anne Sanders and her husband Rich of Hurst, TX and Adele Jones and her husband Jim of Edenton, NC; as well as several nieces and nephews and their families.

Friends are invited to call on the family at Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 W. 26th St. (at Powell Ave.) on Tuesday from 4-7pm and attend a service there on Wednesday April 15th at 11am. There will be a future burial and memorial service at Crowne Hill Cemetery in New Hartford, NY.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the National Marfan Foundation, 22 Manhasset Ave., Port Washington, NY 11050 or contacting the family about a scholarship fund for students with disabilities that is being developed at Penn State Behrend.