A Message from Eileen Reardon,
our Executive Director

It is with deep sadness and a very heavy heart that I convey this to you.  Our beloved friend and co-worker, Rick Borden, passed away Monday morning (12/15) at his home in Argyle with his family by his side.  Rick was only 45 years old.

For example, anytime someone said the word "wonder" around Rick, he always replied "wonder, wonder, wonder."

Rick was a gentle soul.  He loved his family, his friends, and, yes, his job.  He would tell you that working for the American Red Cross was the best job in the world.  He always described his job as "adventuresome" and he was right.

Rick always prided himself on his absolute best instruction in health and safety techniques.  He felt he was making a difference in this world.  Indeed, he did.

Some people may find it funny if I call Rick a "Quiet Man" of sorts.  Allow me to explain.  Rick lived a simple life.  He never looked for the materialistic goods that may of us have come to expect.  In fact, I think we were all envious of Rick's take on life.

Every Friday, we would compare our weekend plans.  My plans were filled with errands and road trips.  Rick would always smile and say "I'm going fishing", or "I'm going hunting, or "I'm taking a hike."

Rick was dubbed "Dr. Dolittle" by the staff because animals were always drawn to him knowing that they were in capable and loving hands.

But, Rick was best known for his sense of humor.  He found laughter even when the times were tough.  He loved to play practical jokes on the staff because he felt they were important.  We now rejoice in those memories as they carry us through this difficult time.

If Rick was here, his advice would be "Live as I lived, as I did.  Be good to your family, be good to your friends, and be good to your neighbors, as I did.  Live by the fifth commandment of honoring they Mother and Father, as I did.  Never miss your son's baseball game and be proud of your daughter's accomplishments, as I did.  Be an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan, as I was.  Embrace the beauty of the Adirondacks, as I did.  Give more of yourself than anyone expects of you, as I did."

Rick lost his parents many years ago.  They now embrace their youngest child and bring him home to his final resting place.  Let us not cry out of sorrow.  Let us cry out of love for a man that gave us so much.