Obituary of Richard Payne

Richard Sylvester Payne, of Larchmont, NY died peacefully in his sleep on July 12, 2016. Richard was born November 27, 1931 in Providence, Rhode Island, the youngest child of Thomas and Kathleen Payne. Raised in Providence, Dick went to Providence College, leaving after 2 years to attend Boston College Law School where he earned his JD. While at law school, he met his future wife, Jane Frances Monahan; she predeceased him in 2005. They were married in Dedham, MA on St Patrick's Day, 1956 in the midst of a blizzard. The storm forced the groom and an usher to abandon their car on the highway and complete their journey by hitching a ride on a state snowplow, which delivered them to the bride's house at 2 am on the morning of the 17th. Dick was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Korean War. He also obtained an LLM from New York University. Early in their marriage the Paynes resided in Greenwich Village, Brooklyn, Ardsley, and New Rochelle before moving to Larchmont in 1972. While in Ardsley, Dick was elected as a Democratic Trustee and proudly ousted the incumbent Republican Mayor to serve a term as Mayor of Ardsley with the invaluable assistance of his wife as copywriter for all his campaign material. After moving to New York, Dick began a very successful career as a tax attorney. During his career, he worked for Kelley Drye & Warren, Mobil Oil, Celanese and Siemens. With Mobil he traveled the world extensively as evidenced by his old passports. While at Siemens, he successfully argued a tax case in front of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, winning one of the largest tax settlements of the time for his client. On top of his law career, Dick was an avid hockey and tennis player, actively playing both sports well into his retirement years. He spent many happy years with his family at the Larchmont Shore Club, where he also served on the Board of directors. In 1992 Dick and Jane purchased a home on Block Island, RI, where they spent many happy summers with their friends, children and grandchildren. He is survived by 7 children, Tammy (Bob Feeley) of Harrison; Janet Herbold (Tom) of Rye; Tara Kupersmith of Greenwich; Brian (Sue McCarty) of Larchmont; Kevin of San Diego, CA; Michael of New Rochelle; and Richard (Lauren Rones) of White Plains. He was predeceased by 2 sons, Anthony and William. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren: Patrick, Caroline, Daniel and Ryan Feeley; Tommy, Emma, and Molly Herbold; Corey, Connor, Caleigh, and Lizzie Kupersmith; Charlotte, Will, Margo, and Elise Payne; and Vendela Brainerd Payne. He is also survived by his 2 sisters, Mavis Perkins and Patricia Fleck, and his loving in-laws Jerry Cannon, Dorothy Payne, and Marcia and John Melone. He was predeceased by his siblings Dr. Thomas L. Payne, Jr. and Joan Cannon. Dick will be deeply missed by both his family and his friends, who cherished the kindness and generosity he shared with all who knew him. In lieu of flowers, donations in his name to Swim Across America would be gratefully appreciated. Visiting today, July 14th, 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Fox Funeral Home in Larchmont. Mass Friday July, 15th, 11:00 AM at St. Augustine Church in Larchmont. Interment at Holy Mount Cemetery in Eastchester.