Richard Viscome

Richard Viscome, 65, of West Harrison, New York, passed away on February 24, 2024, at Rosary Hill Home in Hawthorne, New York. His life was cut short by an aggressive cancer, which was diagnosed just five months earlier.

Richard was born on September 12, 1958, in White Plains, New York, to Anna and Patrick Viscome. From a young age, Richard had an independent spirit and preferred to follow his own path rather than conform to rules or authority figures. His name was mentioned so often by his mother that by the time he was 5, his younger brother's first word was "Richard." That same spirit grew into his beautiful zest for life which made him such a joy (to most) to be around.

In 1981, Richard graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) with a degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management. He subsequently ventured into owning and/or managing several award-winning restaurants and bakeries in Westchester County, namely So Dam Hot in Valhalla - where you’d be sure to find him dancing around in his pepper pants, stirring a massive vat of chili, and spouting off his “Richie-isms” to anyone who ventured in for a meal.

He had a deep love for exploration and adventure. He hiked one of the most dangerous trails in the United States, named Angel’s Landing in Utah, several times for the majestic views. He also hiked many of the Adirondack high peaks, including the 16.2-mile loop to the Mt. Marcy summit while wearing steel-toe boots—a mistake that he was sure to make only once.

Richard’s adventurous spirit extended to various activities: scuba diving, skydiving, riding his road bicycle, drinking champagne in Central Park, and playing ice hockey. But above all, he cherished the simple joy of driving – he once put over 125,000 miles on his car in a single year often needing several oil changes a month, sometimes in a single week. Being that he’d hike countless miles for a view, driving over 125 miles for lunch was “EZ-parcheesi” in his book. There was nothing like a casual Sunday afternoon and the random thought of “who has the best cheesesteaks in Philly?” to spark an adventure with his Children in tow, touting his mantra, “Let’s go see what there is to see!”

He was an avid reader, an excellent conversationalist, and a pillar of strength and support to those around him. Friends and family knew of his saying 'Dial R,' which reminded those closest to him to call him whenever they needed his support, wisdom, or help. He was always there, and he was happy to be there. Richard seemed to know exactly what to do and say to put you at ease and make you feel better. He was a rock.

Besides spending time with family and friends, he loved working in his garden with an ice-cold beer, being a steward and caretaker of the Silver Lake Park preserve, and perhaps his favorite activity of discussing politics, history, and Mr. Trump!

He is survived by his children, Pamela (favorite daughter) and Patrick (#1 son); his siblings, Jeannie Weenie Woo (sister) and her husband William “Rick” Bossio, Robert (brother) and his wife Gloria, and Raymond (brother) and his wife Lisa; his former wife, Patricia Armato-Viscome; his nieces and nephews, Malissa, Valerie, and William; his loving companion – B; and his closest friends, whom he deeply loved and considered family including, but not limited to, Sam, Anthony, Woody, and Brian.

Richard Viscome will be deeply missed but will forever live on in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing and loving him and all his antics.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Visitation on Friday, March 1, 2024, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at McMahon, Lyon, & Hartnett Funeral Home located at 491 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains, NY 10605. A Mass will be held at 10:00 am the following morning, Saturday, March 2, 2024, at St. Anthony of Padua Church located at 85 Harrison Street, West Harrison, NY 10604.