Randy J. Harkenrider – 44 – of 427 Cleveland Ave., North Hornell, died following a brave and heroic battle with cancer.
Born in Bellevue, NE on August 30, 1970, he lived most of his life in the Hornell area. He was a graduate of Hornell High School (class of 1989) and later attended Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua and also SUNY Alfred. He also served in the US National Guard.
Randy had been employed as a Corrections Officer prior to moving to Colorado where he worked as an Electrical Foreman and Project Manager for 10 years. He returned to Hornell in 2006 and was employed at Advanced Transit Manufacturing (ATM), as Vice President of Sales & Marketing.
Randy was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church. He had a genuine interest in local government and served as 3rd Ward City Alderman for several years. He had a love of sports and was an avid Oakland Raider Football and Nebraska Football fan. He lent his love of sports to coaching youth football in both Hornell and Colorado. An avid outdoorsman, Randy enjoyed hunting and fishing. Throughout the years he went on several hunting trips to places including Colorado, Canada, California and New Mexico. He recently went on a fishing trip to Alaska.
Above all Randy enjoyed spending time with his family. He was a very devoted husband and father. He would not miss any of Leah, Sam and Ryan’s sporting or school functions. Whenever you would see Randy you would see this fun loving, full of life guy that would do anything for anyone at any time. His smile was contagious and brought much joy to everyone with whom he had contact. Randy has many, many friends that will cherish the memories that were made throughout his life time.
Randy enjoyed pushing himself at various competitions. He was a 3-time finisher of the Tough Mudder, participating in the last one while undergoing cancer treatment. In addition to running several 5K races, Randy was proud to have taken part in the “Tillman Run” which is named after former football great, Pat Tillman, who was killed in action in Afghanistan. He also ran this race while undergoing cancer treatment.
He was preceded in death by his Father, Samuel “Jim” Dineen along with several members of the Dineen, Harkenrider, Flint & Kull Families.
He was married on November 24, 2001 to the former Susan “Crete” Crowley who survives. Also surviving are 2 daughters, Leah & Samantha Harkenrider; 1 son, Ryan Harkenrider; his mother, Mary Dineen; his sister, Christine (Earl) Rawleigh, niece Nikki Rawleigh, nephews Jordan and Toby Rawleigh, Joseph (Kathy) Flint, Alex, Spencer and Elliot Flint. Also Robert (Debbie) Dineen, Katie, Megan and Linzy Dineen; his In-laws; Joseph and Janet Crowley, Robert (Tracy) Crowley, Stephen (Yvonne) Crowley, Katheen Crowley (Christopher Murtha) and nieces Mia and Kirra Crowley; as well as many members of the Flint, Harkenrider, Dineen, Kull & Crowley families.
The family of Randy J. Harkenrider will receive friends on Thursday, February 12 from 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday (February 13, 2015) at 10:00 AM at St. Ann’s Church. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Randy’s family request that instead of sending flowers, family & friends honor his memory by making a memorial contribution in his name to the Hornell YMCA, 18 Center St., Hornell, NY 14843 or to the Pat Tillman Foundation, 217 N. Jefferson St., (Suite 602), Chicago, IL 60661. Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home or click here to print a form.
In honor of Randy’s service to his country by serving in the US National Guard, the American Flag at the Dagon Funeral Home will be flown at half-staff.
My deepest sympathy to Randy’s family and friends. May you find peace in your faith. My heart is saddened. I am praying for all to have strength in this sad time.
Randy’s Southern Family from North Carolina wanted to extend our sincere condolences to his family. There were many treasured moments growing up. Prayers that your joyful memories will help in the healing of your hearts. Rest in Peace dear cousin.
My thoughts & prayers go out to the families. I didn’t know Randy very well but I did have the honor of watching him use his speed & athleticism while I was coaching Vince Lombardi Football.( I too am a Oakland Raider Fan) He was a great kid, and athlete. I also had the honor of coaching his brother-in-laws Stevie & Robbie Crowley on the B team great kids as well. God Bless
Brian McLaughlin
I remember Randy in High School as a football player; a fellow Raider, He was a great leader and player on and off the field…
Our deepest sympathy and thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this most difficult time. What a great man. He will be smiling down on all of you.
Randy was an awesome person. My heart goes out to those closest to him..and the hope that they remember that a person with such personality and strength as he had never leaves us. They resonate and live on…becoming a rythm that we continue to dance to.
We lost a great man and dear friend. You will never be forgotten and your memory will live on forever. God bless, rest in peace & I love you brother.
To the Harkenrider Family:
May the love of those around you, help you through the days ahead.
Our sincerest sympathy,
On behalf of the employees of CMP Advanced Mechanical Solutions and VKS Visual System Knowledge. (Canada & U.S.A.)
To the family of Randy Harkenrider,
I am very sorry for your great loss and pray that you will find peace and hope in God’s promises. He assures us of a resurrection of our dear loved ones and that they will gain their youthful vigor and never experience sickness again. (Acts 24:15; Job 33:25; Revelation 21:3,4) These encouraging scriptures and more helpful comfort is available at jw.org. May God be with you during this most difficult time.
The world lost a great man but you left us with so many memories. You will never be forgotten. May you finally rest in peace. Love you Harky.
Despite being raised catholic I still get very frustrated when someone is taken before their time. It frustrates me even more that I grew apart from what was a great friend. It’s been years since I’ve seen you but, I miss you already.
My deepest, heart-felt sympathy goes out to both the Crowley and Harkenrider Families during this very difficult time. I knew Randy, first as my big brother’s friend. His infectious smile and undying sense of humor were a consistent presence in my house many weekends for flag football games, pizza and overnights. Then in High School, myself and others spent most of our time at football games on Friday nights cheering him and his brothers on. Although I knew him well only in his youth, it is obvious that all the fine qualities that distinguished Randy as the charismatic, kind and extremely talented individual that he was continued on through him becoming a husband, a father, a colleague, a neighbor and above all, a loving friend. And he did if, of course, always with an infectious smile. He will always be remembered by all who knew him, at every age, as a true individual whose bright spirit gave so much of himself to others and to his world. My thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you all during this very difficult time..
My deepest, heart-felt sympathy goes out to both the Crowley and Harkenrider Families during this very difficult time. I knew Randy, first as my big brother’s friend. His infectious smile and undying sense of humor were a consistent presence in my house many weekends for flag football games, pizza and overnights. Then in High School, myself and others spent most of our time at football games on Friday nights cheering him and his brothers on. Although I knew him well only in his youth, it is obvious that all the fine qualities that distinguished Randy as the charismatic, kind and extremely talented individual that he was continued on through him becoming a husband, a father, a colleague, a neighbor and above all, a loving friend. And he did if, of course, always with an infectious smile. He will always be remembered by all who knew him, at every age, as a true individual whose bright spirit gave so much of himself to others and to his world. My thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you all during this very difficult time.