Obituary for Richard M. Cummins
Richard M. “Dick” Cummins died peacefully after a brief illness, surrounded by his family. He was 82. Dick was born on September 25, 1937 in New Ulm, Minnesota to parents Dewey Homer and Dorothy Colgan Cummins. Raised in Cedar Rapids Iowa, Dick met his wife, Jackie, in grade school and they were married in 1957. While attending Creighton University Dick played baseball, catching for future Hall of Famer, Bob Gibson. He would spend most of his life involved in the great American pastime.
Dick held degrees from DePaul University (BS, Commerce, 1960), Fordham University (LLB, 1964), and New York University (LLM, 1970). He was an admitted attorney in New York and a Certified Public Accountant. In later years, Dick was an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University School of Business from 1984-1997.
Dick spent the majority of his professional career at Coopers & Lybrand, where he practiced tax, trust and estate law, and was named partner in 1977. He remained at the firm until his retirement. Dick was able to blend his passion for baseball with his business acumen when in 1987, he was appointed by friend and co-owner of the New York Mets, Nelson Doubleday, as Special Adviser to the team’s Board of Directors, on which he served proudly until 2002.
Known to many as a large, booming presence, Dick was both forthright and fiercely loving. He took great pride in his beautiful bride, Jackie, and the tight-knit family they raised together over a period 63 years. To all whom he met, Dick was known as a charming and generous man, and a great storyteller and avid sports fan. In his later years, Dick enjoyed the 21 Club, Sleepy Hollow Country Club, The University Club, and spending time with his extensive close-knit family.
In addition to Jacqueline, his wife of 62 years, Dick is survived by four children and their spouses: Daniel (Leslie) Cummins, Tim (Tara) Cummins, Mary (Jeff) Caty, Sarah Cummins; twelve grandchildren: Jake, Sam and Karen Hutchings, Harry and Johnnie Cummins, Evelyn and Jack Caty, Maggie and Patrick Cummins, Lily, Katie and Luke Umphred; and three great grandchildren: Mack, Molly and Will. Dick is predeceased by his oldest daughter, Catherine Camille (Cummins) Hutchings, and his parents, Dewey Homer Cummins and Dorothy Colgan Cummins, and his brothers, Bob, Billy, Jim, and Jack.
Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00pm, Thursday, February 27, at Beecher Flooks Funeral Home at 418 Bedford Road in Pleasantville, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, February 28, 2020 at 10:30am at St. Aloysius Parish, 21 Cherry St, New Canaan, Connecticut. A private Rite of Committal and burial will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rosary Hill Home in Hawthorne, NY.
Dick held degrees from DePaul University (BS, Commerce, 1960), Fordham University (LLB, 1964), and New York University (LLM, 1970). He was an admitted attorney in New York and a Certified Public Accountant. In later years, Dick was an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University School of Business from 1984-1997.
Dick spent the majority of his professional career at Coopers & Lybrand, where he practiced tax, trust and estate law, and was named partner in 1977. He remained at the firm until his retirement. Dick was able to blend his passion for baseball with his business acumen when in 1987, he was appointed by friend and co-owner of the New York Mets, Nelson Doubleday, as Special Adviser to the team’s Board of Directors, on which he served proudly until 2002.
Known to many as a large, booming presence, Dick was both forthright and fiercely loving. He took great pride in his beautiful bride, Jackie, and the tight-knit family they raised together over a period 63 years. To all whom he met, Dick was known as a charming and generous man, and a great storyteller and avid sports fan. In his later years, Dick enjoyed the 21 Club, Sleepy Hollow Country Club, The University Club, and spending time with his extensive close-knit family.
In addition to Jacqueline, his wife of 62 years, Dick is survived by four children and their spouses: Daniel (Leslie) Cummins, Tim (Tara) Cummins, Mary (Jeff) Caty, Sarah Cummins; twelve grandchildren: Jake, Sam and Karen Hutchings, Harry and Johnnie Cummins, Evelyn and Jack Caty, Maggie and Patrick Cummins, Lily, Katie and Luke Umphred; and three great grandchildren: Mack, Molly and Will. Dick is predeceased by his oldest daughter, Catherine Camille (Cummins) Hutchings, and his parents, Dewey Homer Cummins and Dorothy Colgan Cummins, and his brothers, Bob, Billy, Jim, and Jack.
Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00pm, Thursday, February 27, at Beecher Flooks Funeral Home at 418 Bedford Road in Pleasantville, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, February 28, 2020 at 10:30am at St. Aloysius Parish, 21 Cherry St, New Canaan, Connecticut. A private Rite of Committal and burial will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rosary Hill Home in Hawthorne, NY.