Richard Lynn Shorts, age 74, of Edinboro and formerly of Cambridge Springs, passed away Saturday, November 10, 2012 at his home in Edinboro.
Born January 18, 1938 in Cambridge Springs, he was the eldest son of the late Theodore and Imogene Wilson Shorts. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Ronald Shorts, and a sister-in-law, Donna Shorts.
Richard was a 1956 graduate of Cambridge Springs High School. He was employed at his father’s Red & White grocery store until 1961, when he enlisted in the United States Army, serving until 1963. He worked for Penelec from 1964 until his retirement in 1994, after 30 years of service.
Richard was an outdoorsman who enjoyed trapping, hunting and fishing, especially with his friend, Bud Mitchell. Since golf was his passion, after retirement he worked for Venango Valley Golf Course for a number of years.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret (McAtee) Shorts, to whom he has been married 23 years; three daughters– Deborah Rodgers and husband Jeffery of Cambridge Springs, and Denise Shorts and Diane Shorts, both of Ocean City, MD; two grandchildren– Lauren and Garrett Rodgers; and his former wife of 28 years, Valerie (Coulter) Shorts. Other survivors include two stepdaughters– Missy Jukes and husband Todd of Edinboro, and Heather Baron and husband Brad, also of Edinboro; five step-grandchildren– Billy and Dane Jukes, and Nicole, Danika and Frank Baron; his brother, Robert Shorts of Cambridge Springs, and his sister, Judy Smith and husband Harvey, also of Cambridge Springs; and many nieces and nephews.
A special thanks to Tricia Offi, his nurse, and the wonderful Asera Care Hospice group.
Friends will be received by the family on Tuesday evening from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home, 306 Erie Street, Edinboro. A memorial service will follow at 7:00 p.m. officiated by Rev. Shane Thompson. Private burial will be in Lewis Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Lewis Cemetery, c/o Heather Baron, 5260 Florek Road, Edinboro, PA 16412.
We are very sorry to hear about Dick. We will keep your family in our thoughts and prayers.
I am so terribly sorry to hear of Dick’s passing. Although I have not been in contact with Dick much over the past several years I truly considered him a very dear friend and mentor. I spent the best of my formative years trapping, hunting, and fishing with Dick and he taught me everything that I know today and now pass on to my son. My father was not an outdoorsman, but Dick was quick to take a clumsy city-boy he called “Stosh” under his wing and patiently teach him everything he knew. Every year I would look forward to spending my Thanksgiving with Dick and the entire Shorts family, trapping muskrat, and sometimes going to Camp Arrowhead Lodge in the Allegheny National Forest to hunt deer. This year I am going to take my son on his first deer hunting trip to that same place in the woods where Dick took me too when I got my first deer.
He was truly one of the best men that I have ever had the honor to know and call my friend and I will miss him. I never told him how much he meant to me and how the time we shared together in the woods were the best times of my young life, and I will always regret that. I will always remember and miss you Dick!
Stush