Richard Weakland

Richard Thomas Weakland, age 74 of Burdett, NY passed away on December 2, 2024 at Seneca View Skilled Nursing Facility. He was born on June 2, 1950, the son of the late Vivian Wilson Peckens and Richard Thomas Weakland, Sr. His birth father passed away when Rick was 2 years old and he was lovingly raised by his late adoptive father, Leroy “Pete” Peckens. 

Rick is survived by the love of his life and wife of 45 years, Cindy Fadale Weakland, his two daughters Casey (Chris) Stephany of Burdett, NY and Hallie Weakland of Denver, CO who were his pride and joy, his siblings Dan Weakland, Wendy (Leo) Kawczenski, Peter (Janet) Peckens, Melody (Greg) Freeman, many nieces and nephews, and close friends.

Rick grew up in Elmira, NY and graduated from Southside High School in 1968. From there, he went on to receive his Bachelor’s Degree from Mansfield University and his Masters in Urban & Regional Planning from Florida Atlantic University. His storied career began as a Vista volunteer in Missouri and was filled with innumerable accomplishments. The stars aligned in 1978 when he started a position as Executive Director of the Warren-Forest Counties Economic Opportunity Council in Warren, PA, the hometown of his soon-to-be bride, Cindy Fadale. Rick and Cindy married on August 11, 1979 and spent several happy years in Warren before relocating to the Finger Lakes in 1988 after Rick began working as President of Five Lakes Development Corporation in Watkins Glen, NY. In 1994, his talents and strong work ethic landed him a position with Corning Enterprises/Corning Inc., where he took great pride in his work. Rick retired in 2013 as the Director of Corporate Real Estate and President of Corning Property Management Company after nearly 20 years. He and Cindy raised their family in Watkins Glen and Corning and Rick was dedicated to his community, particularly Seneca Lake and the surrounding areas. In 2006, he and Cindy achieved their longtime goal of returning to spend their retirement on the shores of Lady Seneca. He spearheaded many economic revitalization efforts in the area over several decades, including heralding the return of the Grand Prix race re-enactment in 1993 and serving as Chairperson of the festival for 13 years. In retirement, he led the Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association and drove the completion of the Wastewater Treatment Plant in Watkins Glen. He served on numerous boards throughout the region including the Schuyler Hospital and Cayuga Medical Center Board of Directors, Watkins Glen Promotions, Watkins-Montour Rotary Club and Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, among others. Rick made “work hard, play hard” a mantra and enjoyed many adventures with his wife, daughters, family and friends including sailing the Caribbean, lake days on Seneca, camping trips, and traveling to over 25 countries. Rick was an incredible athlete throughout his life; upon retirement, he biked 3,667 miles over 50 days from Astoria, OR to Portsmouth, NH. He continued biking into his 70s and rode his bike in 8 countries making many great friends along the way. His greatest joy in life was his family and he was immensely proud of his two daughters, who both reflect the very best of him. Rick was always ready with a witty one-liner and a warm hug and we will miss his kind spirit and sense of humor most of all. 

Family and friends are invited to call at Royce-Chedzoy Funeral Home, 212 E. 4th St., Watkins Glen, on Thursday, December 12, 2024 from 3-6PM. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you send any donations to Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association to support their mission of preserving and protecting the lake that was very near and dear to Rick’s heart or Alzheimer’s Association to support their research efforts to end Alzheimer’s. 

https://senecalake.org/Donate or https://www.alz.org/