Early in the morning on September 30th, 2023, before the sun’s rays could be seen on the horizon, Richard M. Budd left this world to be with his mother and father on the other side. Born in 1960 on Long Island, NY to Richard V. and Maureen Budd, Rick was their first child and would later be joined by his two brothers Robert (Bobby) and James (Jamie). Rick attended SUNY Potsdam and in the Fall of 1981, he pledged the Delta Kappa Theta fraternity along with his brothers. Rick was an avid sports enthusiast, frequently coaching and participating in lacrosse, soccer, football, and hockey leagues with his son Ricky. Rick could be found at the RINX skating rink on many evenings coaching PAL and Mini-Mite teams which his son was a part of. Sports were only half of Rick’s passions however; he also had a love for animals and was present at every horseback riding lesson and horse show his daughter Lauren was involved with. It was evident to anyone who knew him, though, that Rick's heart was taken with winter sports, achieving and maintaining a certificate to teach developmentally disabled adults how to ski. Rick's life long dream was to settle in his golden years on a mountain in Colorado or Vermont and to ski until the spirits called him home. After a month-long battle in intensive care with his brother Bobby by his side they did. Rick is survived by his two children, Lauren and Richard James (Ricky), and two grandchildren who were the center of his world, Richard John (RJ) and Kaylee Grace. Rick will be remembered as a coach, a mentor, a friend, a brother, and an incredible father and grandfather. His loss is felt like the melting of snow that swells the river’s current: intense and swift through the hearts and minds of all those he has touched.