Person:Richard DeCourcey (1)

Social Security Death Index

Name: Richard Decourcey SSN: 064-42-6722 Born: 26 Aug 1951 Last Benefit: 14150 Tonawanda, Erie, New York, United States of America Died: Oct 1978 State (Year) SSN issued: New York (1965-1966 )

TONAWANDA (NY) NEWS, October 4, 1978

INJURIES FATAL TO BOAT RACER

A City of Tonawanda raceboat driver, described as a "tough competitor" by colleagues, died this morning from injuries suffered in last weekend's Frostbite Regatta in the East Niagara River.

Richard W. DeCourcey, 27, of 123 Frederick Road, died at 4:15 a.m. from head and spinal injuries.

The body was examined by Erie County Medical Examiner Judith A. Lehotay this morning. However, no autopsy will be performed, a spokesman for the medical examiner's office said.

Mr. DeCourcey, an employe at Chevrolet's Town of Tonawanda plant, was rounding the southwest turn of the course Saturday when his boat flipped over and landed on top of him causing the fatal injuries, race officials said. Mr. DeCourcey had been in a coma since the accident.

After reviewing video tapes and photos of the race, race officials stated that Mr. DeCourcey "was not run over or hit by any other contestant" in the race.

The press conference clarified various reports that Mr. DeCourcey was struck by a boat driven by George Kovach, 21, of 32 Klinger Ave., as well as other boats in the race.

"After looking over the video tape and photos of the race, we feel George Kovach did not run over the victim," John Turner, regatta co-chairman and commodore of the Niagara Frontier Power Racing Association, said. "His (DeCourcey's) own boat whacked him."

It was agreed that Mr. Kovach's boat did strike Mr. DeCourcey's racer, but did not hit the victim, who was lying face-down in the water.

Race officials lauded the rescue job by the Tonawanda Underwater unit and pointed out that the Erie County Sheriff's Department did not help in the rescue mission.

The final point clarified was that the Niagara River was not "extremely choppy" as reported.

"This was the best water we've had in the last couple of years," Mr. Turner said. "The accident was not due to rough water."

Race officials said that Mr. DeCourcey was thrown from his boat when the 14 1/2-foot hydroplane flipped over while making the southwest turn at an estimated speed of 50 mph.

Mr. DeCourcey has toured the racing circuit across the country. He sat out the last couple of seasons, after about four previous years on the circuit. He was attempting a comeback this season.

Funeral arrangements, which were incomplete at press time, are being handled by the John O. Roth Funeral Home, Morgan and Williams streets, Tonawanda.

TONAWANDA (NY) NEWS, October 6, 1978

OBITUARIES

DeCOURCEY - Richard W. DeCourcey, 27, of Tonawanda, unexpectedly Wednesday (October 4, 1978) at Kenmore Mercy Hospital. Born in Buffalo, he had been a resident of Tonawanda for the past 22 years and had been employed at Chevrolet Division of General Motors, River Road Plant, Town of Tonawanda. An Army veteran of the Viet Nam conflict, he was a 1970 graduate of Tonawanda High School, a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Niagara Frontier Racing Association, U.A.W. Local 774 and the National Hose Company.

He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry (Babe) DeCourcey of Tonawanda; a sister, Miss Rochelle Ann DeCourcey, at home; his grandparents, Mrs. Loretta Shaffer of Clarence, N.Y., and Anthony Tripodi of Trenton, N.J., an aunt, Mrs. Kenneth (Maryann) Bestline of Clarence, an uncle, Robert (Elsie) DeCourcey of Hamburg, N.Y. and several cousins.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at John O. Roth Funeral Home, Morgan and Williams Sts., Tonawanda where services will be conducted at 1 o'clock Saturday by the Rev. Donald L. Weaver. Burial will be at Elmlawn Cemetery.

NOTICE

All members of National Hose Company No. 1 are requested to meet at Company quarters, 44 William St., at 7:30 p.m. Friday, October 6th, to proceed in a body to John O. Roth Funeral Home to pay our last respects to our departed brother, Richard W. DeCourcey.

Deryl Fisher, President Uniform Hats Required