Richard Sturman Obituary

Richard “Rocky” Sturman, 74, passed on April 14, 2021.

He was born September 14, 1946 in New York, NY, the son of Nancy Hannon and Herman Sturman (both deceased).  On November 22, 1969, he married Maureen McNamara, who pre-deceased him in 2001

Rocky served in the U.S. Navy as a Radioman 2nd Class aboard the USS Liberty.  After his discharge, he worked for the telephone company for 2 years and then as a Gapfiller/Signal Maintainer for the NYC Transit Authority for 30+ years.  He retired in 2003 and moved to Elmira, NY, where he lived for 10 years with his beloved cat, DeOGe.  Rocky was an avid photographer who always had a camera in one hand and a cigarette or a beer in the other (sometimes both)!!

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Theresa and Tom Foley, also of Saint Augustine, FL (previously Levittown, NY); son and daughter-in-law, Rick and Abigail Sturman of Falls Church, VA; grandchildren, Ryan and Colin Foley; sister, Mary Okul and brothers Anthony Sturman and James Franz.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, the family requests donations be made to the following:

USS Liberty Veterans Association

PO Box 680275

Marietta, GA  30068

or by using this link:

https://www.usslibertyveterans.org/donate.html

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.  As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.  Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.  Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.  Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.  Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.  But let not this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.  Be yourself.  Especially, do not feign affection.  Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.  Take kindly the council of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.  But do not distress yourself with imaginings.  Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.  Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.  You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and stars; you have a right to be here.  And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul.  With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.  Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.

— Max Ehrmann, 1927