Obituary of Richard T. Towner

RICHARD THOMAS TOWNER JR. 1925-2012 Richard T. Towner Jr. of Honeoye, NY died Monday January 2, 2012 at his home. He was 86. He was born the son of Richard and Florence Heffernan Towner Sr. on July 28, 1925 in Rochester, NY. He was a member of St. Mary's Church in Honeoye and the Honeoye-Hemlock American Legion Post 1278. Richard left his hometown of Honeoye, New York to join the Navy on December 15th 1941. When he arrived at the recruiting station the line was too long, so he joined the Army. After completion of Boot Camp at Camp Upton, New Jersey Richard reported to Fort Eustis, Virginia for Aircraft Search lift and Sounding Systems. Upon graduation Richard was transferred to Fort Hancock, New Jersey to the 7th Coast Artillery for training in ocean mine planting and loading sea mines. While in training one of the 1500lb anchored mines washed ashore at Ashbury Park Beach. Richard's unit was sent out to retrieve the mine, while traveling back to base the driver braked to avoid an accident, the mine jumped its blocking and pinned his leg against the forward steel bulkhead of the truck. Richard spent three months in the base hospital and had to learn how to walk again. After release from the hospital, Richard was sent to Point Pleasant, West Virginia to wait for his ship the United States Army Mine Planter (USAMP) 16 Weaver. Serving as a Deck Hand and then as Quartermaster, Richard was later assigned to the Engineering Black Gang where he served as a Boiler man and Oiler. After two months the ship was sent to the Caribbean to mine all shipping lanes east and west, Panama Canal and up and down each coast. While aboard ship Richard was promoted to Technician 5th Grade. Most of the crew were Merchant Seamen who got caught up in the draft. After three years aboard ship Richard was sent stateside to a Ranger Base to take 18 weeks of hand-to-hand combat training. After being trained as a Machine Gun Squad Leader, Richard was shipped to Attu Island, Kisha Island and Shimia Island B-29 Base to be part of the northern invasion of Japan. After two months there, the A-Bombs were dropped on Japan and he returned stateside to be discharged December 20th 1945. Richard returned home to resume his apprenticeship training as a Union Steamfitter, which he had started at the age of 15. Richard re-enlisted in the Army November 1948 and was discharged in 1949 on a hardship discharge because he was married and had three children. He returned to his trade and spent 58 years as a Union Steamfitter and was a member of the Local Union 13 Plumbers and Steamfitters. Richard was a pioneer of refrigeration service. Richard was married to the former Joan M. Wagner now deceased, they had six children as follows; Mary Jo Weber, Richard Towner III, Michael Towner (died at birth), Martin Towner, James Towner, and Kirk Towner. Richard and Joan have eight grandchildren as follows; Daniel Towner, Ken Weber, Marty Card, Michael Weber, Ken Towner, Kim Towner, Thomas Weber, and Jacob Towner. Nine great grandchildren as follows; Matthew Weber, Aaron Weber, Edward Weber, Liam Weber, Ava Weber, Rylie Weber, Kendall Towner, Kayla Towner, Brayden Towner, and Joey Card. January 26th 2007 marked their 61st Wedding Anniversary. Richard's loving wife passed away August 8th 2007; Joan was a great woman, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and Richard's best friend. Richard's youngest son Kirk requested that his Father be initiated as an honorary Chief Petty Officer (CPO) an honor normally reserved for active duty Navy Senior Commissioned Officers. Kirk submitted Richard's biography to the 1996 CPO Initiation Committee Chairman at Naval Technical Training Center Corry Station, Pensacola, Florida. Richard was the first one initiated that September 16th morning. A fellow Boiler man sponsored Richard so he could be initiated into the exalted order of U.S. Navy Chiefs. After being initiated into the largest maritime fraternity in the world, Richard was able to take part in the comadery and initiate his fellow CPOs, including his son Kirk. Richard is a card carrying initiated U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer and as such is welcome in any CPO Mess worldwide. Richards family invites his friends to attend his Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 11 am at St. Mary's Church, Main Street, Honeoye. Burial with full Military Honors will be at St. Mary's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Honeoye-Hemlock American Legion Post 1278 or to the Richmond Fire Department and Ambulance Fund.