Richard was many things: a birdwatcher, a music lover, a family member, a friend, a bandmate, and a long-time Aspire of WNY employee. For 40 years, Richard Smith was a staple at the Oxford group home, knowing the routines, the residents, and daily life inside and out. His long-time commitment to supporting people with disabilities has left a lasting impact on his fellow staff, the agency, and the individuals he served.
Richard’s passing brought deep sadness to staff and residents at the Oxford group home and across the agency. When he unexpectedly stopped showing up to work for several days, and became unresponsive to texts and phone calls, his colleague Onessa knew something wasn’t right.
“In all the years I’ve worked with Richard, he’s never missed work without letting someone know, so I knew something was off. That weekend, I made it a point to stop by his house to check on him,” Onessa shared.
She had been to his home before, knocking on his door with a warm Thanksgiving plate, wanting to make sure he had a meal to enjoy. “I would always tell Richard that, as much as I joke around with him, he’s like family to me. We’ve worked together at the Oxford group home for over ten years. I even stopped by his house this past Thanksgiving to bring him a plate. I wanted to make sure he had a proper Thanksgiving dinner.”
When Richard didn’t answer the door, Onessa followed her instincts and contacted 911 to request a wellness check. Law enforcement later confirmed his passing. Her concern and quick thinking spoke volumes about the deep bonds among the staff at the Oxford group home. As Onessa explained, the staff aren’t just coworkers but a second family that looks out for each other.
Richard’s role at Oxford was one of leadership and reliability. Highly organized and always dependable, he set the gold standard for the staff at the house, always ensuring that things like medications and meals were organized beforehand, that schedules ran seamlessly, and the household was functioning smoothly. His absence has left a noticeable void.
“Now that he’s not here, we must find our way of doing things. A lot of people in the house looked up to him. We were so used to following Richard’s lead,” Onessa reflects.
To honor Richard’s life and dedication, a memorial and celebration of life were held at Oxford on February 28, 2025. Past and present colleagues, along with residents of the home, gathered to celebrate his life, sharing old stories and favorite memories. The team at Oxford has also ordered a dedication plaque to be hung up in the home in Richard’s honor to ensure that the residents always have something to remember him by.
“I truly think that we have a wonderful team here at Oxford, and it means a lot that we can all come together to celebrate the amazing life of Richard,” explains Ashley Schihl, Program Coordinator at Aspire of WNY. “It shows that we aren’t just coworkers, but family.”
Aspire of WNY extends its deepest condolences to Richard’s family, friends, and colleagues. His presence will be greatly missed, but his legacy of compassion and dedication will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.